News & Commentary
Mar 10, 2021
Smart Justice testifies in support of accountability for State's Attorneys
"There is no reason State’s Attorneys should be exempt from public accountability. Their job is to represent the interests of the people of Connecticut. All of Connecticut: that includes incarcerated and formally incarcerated individuals. People like me."
Mar 10, 2021
Smart Justice testifies in support of strong Clean Slate
"Living a life with a criminal record has been a challenge I don’t think anyone can understand unless they’ve experienced it firsthand."
By Gus Marks-Hamilton
Mar 10, 2021
The death penalty showed why we need prosecutorial accountability.
History could keep repeating itself without rules to start holding state’s attorneys to commonsense best practices.
By Kelly McConney Moore
Mar 08, 2021
State’s attorneys’ term lengths are extreme outliers in Connecticut and across the country
In our state, the top prosecutors in each judicial district go for eight years without any external oversight. A bill in the legislature could change that.
By Kelly McConney Moore
Mar 04, 2021
Employment discrimination against people with a record is discrimination. It needs to end.
Connecticut needs to pass HB 6474.
Feb 26, 2021
Decriminalizing cannabis requires decriminalization. And equity.
If Connecticut decriminalizes cannabis, it must include steps to repair the harms of the past and to prevent future harm. Although we support its concept of decriminalizing cannabis, the Governor's cannabis bill, as introduced, unfortunately falls short on both decriminalization and equity.
By Kelly McConney Moore
Jan 27, 2021
The next DOC Commissioner must commit to decarceration and racial justice
No matter who becomes Connecticut's next DOC Commissioner, that person must publicly commit to prioritizing racial justice and decarceration.
By Gus Marks-Hamilton
Jan 06, 2021
Legislative session starts January 6. Here’s what we’re fighting for.
The 2021 legislative session is going to look and feel a little different. Each step of the way, we'll be pushing for equity, justice, and freedom. The legislature must grapple with the vast inequities that COVID-19 re-exposed, and with the clear mandate sent by voters to prioritize racial justice.
By Claudine Constant, Kelly McConney Moore, Melvin Medina, Gus Marks-Hamilton, Anderson Curtis
Jan 01, 2021
As prison settlement ends, the state must work harder to protect incarcerated people from COVID-19
Govenor Lamont, the DOC, and the Attorney General’s office that represents the DOC in court cases, have not prioritized the lives and safety of incarcerated people during this pandemic. It is not too late for Lamont or the DOC to take action to prevent further death and suffering.
By Dan Barrett, Elana Bildner
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