Press Releases

ACLU of Connecticut lawyers and advocates are leading experts on civil rights, civil liberties, and constitutional freedoms. They are regularly sought out by leading media to provide a voice to the most important issues facing Connecticut. If you are a member of the press and wish to speak with a representative of the ACLU of Connecticut, please contact us at media@acluct.org. If you are a member of the media and wish to receive ACLU of Connecticut press releases, please send your name, the outlet for which you work, your email address, and phone number to media@acluct.org with the subject line “Press Release Distribution.”

Smart Justice Applauds Passage of State’s Attorney Accountability Law

Legislation now awaits action by Governor Lamont.

New Chief State’s Attorney Must Change Status Quo

The Criminal Justice Commission today chose Patrick Griffin to become Connecticut’s next Chief State’s Attorney.

Reaction to Legislative Passage of Bill to Stop Job Licensure Discrimination Against People Based on Criminal Record

The Connecticut Senate today voted to approve a bill to prevent job licensure discrimination against people living with a record of arrest or conviction, H.B. 5248.

Chief State’s Attorney’s Resignation Shows Need for Accountability in State’s Attorney System to Prevent Future Misconduct

During a Criminal Justice Commission meeting today, Chief State’s Attorney Richard Colangelo announced he would resign. His resignation comes on the heels of an investigation into his decision to hire a state budget official’s daughter while Colangelo was lobbying that official for raises.

First Inspector General Must Value Black Lives by Holding Police Accountable

"Connecticut’s first Inspector General must be dedicated to valuing Black lives and pursuing police accountability instead of the status quo."

Reaction to Senate Vote on Clean Slate Legislation, S.B. 1019

The Connecticut Senate today voted to approve a Clean Slate bill, S.B. 1019, which would allow some people living with a record of conviction to earn the chance at an automatically erased record if they go for a defined period of time without a new conviction.
Issue Areas: Smart Justice

Sen. Pres. Looney, House Speaker Ritter, Judiciary Co-Chairs, CONECT, ACLU-CT, & GHIAA Call for Passage of a Strong Clean Slate Bill

During today’s event, leaders called on legislators to prioritize and pass a Clean Slate bill that includes felony protections, automatic record erasure, and strong anti-discrimination protections for those with erased records.
Issue Areas: Smart Justice

Civil Rights Advocates Call for Passage of Clean Slate Bill

Civil rights advocates, including people directly affected by the criminal legal system, gathered in front of the State Capitol Building today to call on the legislature to pass Clean Slate legislation currently pending before the Senate.
Issue Areas: Smart Justice

Connecticut Vaccine Rollout Must Include Incarcerated People

Ahead of Governor Ned Lamont’s press conference regarding Connecticut’s COVID-19 vaccination roll-out plans, the ACLU-CT issued the following statement regarding the Governor's responsibility to ensure people who are incarcerated are included in the same tier as all others in congregate living.
Issue Areas: Smart Justice