News & Commentary

Mar 10, 2022

Keep Clean Slate's promise

Housing discrimination should have no place in Connecticut.

By Terri Ricks

ACLUCT smart justice leader Terri Ricks sits, smiling and looking straight at the camera. She is wearing a blue ACLU of Connecticut Smart justice hoodie and glasses. Behind her is a yellow people not prisons poster.
Mar 10, 2022

We need State's Attorney accountability to combat systemic racism

I believe in accountability for State's Attorneys, because it is the responsibility of this legislature to ensure Connecticut’s criminal legal system will treat everyone fairly no matter where they live, their education, their wealth, or their race.

ACLUCT Smart Justice leader Shelby Henderson sits behind a desk, smiling at the camera, with one hand on her chin. She is behind a desk, laptop and wearing a blue people not prisons shirt, with ACLU of CT banners and a people not prisons poster behind her
Mar 09, 2022

S.B. 307, to create accountability for State's Attorneys, is long overdue.

I am a mother and homeowner. And I am a formerly incarcerated person. I believe that public officials as powerful as State’s Attorneys should be held accountable, for the decisions they make will impact people for the rest of their lives.

By Brittany LaMarr

ACLUCT smart justice leader Brittany Lamar stands, smiling and facing the camera. She is wearing a blue people not prisons t-shirt and has long blond hair.
Mar 08, 2022

Five reasons why we need accountability for State's Attorneys

State's Attorneys are among the most powerful and least accountable actors in Connecticut's criminal legal system.

In the background, a photo of the CT Capitol. Overlaid in a yellow square, in blue font, it says, "5 reasons why we need accountability for state's attorneys." the ACLU-CT logo in white is in the bottom right corner
Mar 08, 2022

There's no room for forgiveness in the current system. That has to change.

I'm a mental health clinician, a parent, a husband, a homeowner, and I am passionate about helping people. The collateral consequences of a criminal conviction on occupational licensing are demoralizing and cruel.

By Manuel Sandoval

ACLU of Connecticut / ACLU-CT smart justice leader Manny rallies at UConn
Mar 03, 2022

I want to use my skills to help people. Employment discrimination stands in my way.

People, like myself, living with a record have a lot to contribute to Connecticut, and we should be eliminating barriers to employment and licensing so that people can become truly successful members of this state.

By Alex Brown

Image description: Alex Brown, ACLU-CT Smart Justice leader, stands, smiling directly at the camera. She is wearing a blue People Not Prisons t-shirt and black long-sleeved shirt under it. Her long brown hair is in a ponytail.
Mar 03, 2022

Barriers to reentry hurt our families, including children.

A criminal conviction has the unintended consequence of being a conviction for the whole family. And family problems will become community problems.

By Tyran Sampson

Image description: Tyran Sampson, ACLU-CT Smart Justice leader, stands, facing the camera. He is wearing a blue ACLU of Connecticut Smart Justice zip-up sweatshirt, a navy blue hat, and has a mask pulled down. He looks serious.
Mar 02, 2022

Let’s start including these workers in employment protections

When someone has earned the right to be part of society after arrest or conviction, they should have the right to support themselves and their loved ones, just like everyone else.

By Anderson Curtis

ACLUCT senior policy organizer Anderson Curtis stands with a white sign that says "I wasn't sentenced to a lifetime of discrimination." He wears a blue people not prisons shirt and sweatshirt and blue hat, glasses. He is leaning on a gray stone building
Mar 01, 2022

Stop housing discrimination against people living with a record

All people, including those who have been through the criminal legal system, should have the right to safe and stable housing.

By Will Roberts

ACLUCT smart justice leader Will stands with a cardboard sign that says, in black and white, "dismantle the mass incarceration system." Behind him is the CT Capitol. he is wearing a mask and a sweatshirt, and yellow people not prison pin