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.”

Statement Regarding Governor Lamont’s Appointment of Angel Quiros as DOC Commissioner

Governor Ned Lamont today announced that he would nominate Angel Quiros, the current interim Department of Correction commissioner, to become permanent DOC commissioner. By law, the legislature must vote on whether to approve the Governor’s nomination. The following is a reaction from Melvin Medina.
Issue Areas: Smart Justice

Reaction to Conclusion of Criminal Justice Commission Meeting Regarding Reappointments of State’s Attorney Maureen Platt and State’s Attorney Gail Hardy

The Criminal Justice Commission today announced that it would reappoint State’s Attorney Maureen Platt as State’s Attorney for the Waterbury Judicial District and that State’s Attorney Gail Hardy had withdrawn her bid for reappointment as State’s Attorney for the Hartford Judicial District.
Issue Areas: Smart Justice

Reaction to First Positive COVID-19 Test of a Connecticut Department of Correction Worker

The Connecticut Department of Correction last night announced that an employee of Garner Correctional Institution tested positive for COVID-19. The following is a reaction from Melvin Medina, ACLU of Connecticut public policy and advocacy director.
Issue Areas: Smart Justice

New Statewide Poll Shows Majority of Connecticut Voters Support Strong Clean Slate Proposals

The American Civil Liberties Union of Connecticut’s campaign for Smart Justice released new public opinion polling that shows support across the political and ideological spectrums for strong Clean Slate proposals.
Issue Areas: Smart Justice

Reaction to the Appointment of Richard Colangelo as Chief State’s Attorney

The Criminal Justice Commission today appointed Richard Colangelo to become Connecticut’s next Chief State’s Attorney. The following is a reaction from Gus Marks-Hamilton, field organizer for the ACLU of Connecticut Smart Justice campaign.
Issue Areas: Smart Justice

Four of Six Known Applicants for Connecticut Chief State’s Attorney Complete Smart Justice Campaign Survey

Responses “show glimmers of hope and room for improvement,” says ACLU of Connecticut Smart Justice campaign.
Issue Areas: Smart Justice

Statement Regarding Search for Next Connecticut Chief State’s Attorney

Governor Ned Lamont today announced that Chief State’s Attorney Kevin Kane will retire on November 1, 2019. The following is a reaction from David McGuire, executive director of the ACLU of Connecticut.
Issue Areas: Smart Justice

ACLU of Connecticut Smart Justice Campaign Reaction to Legislature’s Passage of H.B. 6921, An Act Establishing the Council on the Collateral Consequences of a Criminal Record

The Connecticut General Assembly has passed H.B. 6921, An Act Establishing a Council on the Collateral Consequences of a Criminal Record. The following is a reaction from Smart Justice field organizer Anderson Curtis.
Issue Areas: Smart Justice