News & Commentary

May 10, 2022

CT Is About to Pick a New Chief State's Attorney. Smart Justice has questions.

We’re asking the three finalists to take our survey about their views on incarceration and racism.

By Claudine Constant, Gus Marks-Hamilton

ACLUCT Smart Justice leaders, in blue people not prisons shirts, crouch and stand with a massive red heart that says "strength" in white letters. Behind them is the CT capitol building. They are masked and raising their fists in celebration and power.
May 06, 2022

What happened at the legislature in 2022?

We fought every step of the way for liberation, justice, and equity. Here is the good and bad news.

The Connecticut capitol building is centered. The capitol lawn is covered in snow, and a sidewalk leading to the building is clear of snow. The sky is blue and has light clouds.
May 04, 2022

Abortion is Essential: Stories of Liberation

In partnership with We Testify, the national ACLU launched a storytelling series to spotlight abortion stories from five storytellers who share one thing in common: the liberation they experienced as a result of their abortion.

A collage of portraits of the five storytellers: Angel Kai, Veronika Granado, Cazembe Jackson, Briana McLennon, and Maleeha Aziz
May 04, 2022

What to Know About the Leaked Supreme Court Abortion Draft Opinion, and What’s Next

Brigitte Amiri, deputy director of the national ACLU’s Reproductive Freedom Project, breaks down what you should keep in mind in the wake of the leaked draft.

A person at a rally holding a sign that says “Abortion is Healthcare.”
Apr 27, 2022

Welcome Erycka Ortiz, the ACLU-CT’s new field organizer

Erycka is ready to advocate for liberation and build power with people in our communities.

Erycka Ortiz, ACLU of Connecticut field organizer, stands facing the camera. She is wearing a green head wrap and a white top, and she is looking straight at the camera.
Mar 31, 2022

Your Guide to Talking About Attacks on Trans Youth

Misinformation is fueling an attack on trans youth. They try to make being trans shameful — but they won’t stop youth from being trans. They will only make it harder for kids to grow up at all and make it harder to access the support, education, and community that all young people deserve.

A photo featuring activist, drag queen and tv personality Peppermint with the title Tough Conversations With Peppermint.
Mar 28, 2022

I worked in hospice care at York. We need better compassionate release options.

If we truly respect the lives of people who are incarcerated, then a pandemic is exactly when compassionate release should be easier to obtain.

By Pierlette Jones

ACLU of Connecticut Smart Justice leader Pierlette Jones sits behind a desk, hands folded, smiling at the camera. She is wearing a blue people not prisons shirt and a watch. A copy of legislative testimony is under her clasped hands.
Mar 25, 2022

End prison debt, for me and my family.

Despite my work ethic and attitude, the great references that I have, my criminal record continues to be held against me. On top of all of that, I have this prison debt hanging over me and a risk of being sued by the state of Connecticut.

By Brian Sullivan

ACLUCT smart justice leader Brian Sullivan smiles at the camera. He's wearing a blue people not prisons shirt. Behind him is a crowd of people at a protest in Feb. 2020.
Mar 25, 2022

Solitary confinement drives the human spirit to despair.

The most abuse happens in the darkest of places. Connecticut needs the PROTECT Act to become law.

By Tracie Bernardi

ACLUCT smart justice leader Tracie Bernardi stands facing the camera and smiling. She is wearing a blue Smart Justice zip-up and a yellow People Not Prisons pin. To her left is an ACLUCT banner that says we the people dare to create a more perfect union