Criminal Justice (Corrections) in Connecticut

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 27, 2026

SJ 72: RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE CLAIMS COMMISSIONER'S COMPENSATION AWARD TO MACEO STREATER WITH RESPECT TO HIS CLAIM AGAINST THE STATE FOR WRONGFUL INCARCERATION.

This bill confirms a compensation award of $5,752,798.00 to Maceo Streater for his claim against the state regarding wrongful incarceration. The legislation validates a decision made by the Claims Commissioner, directing that the payment be drawn from the General Fund's adjudicated claims account. By passing this resolution, the General Assembly formally approves the financial settlement without altering the underlying facts of the case.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 8, 2026

SB 507: AN ACT CONCERNING THE CORRECTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

This bill restructures the Correction Advisory Committee by updating how its eleven members are appointed to ensure broader representation of incarcerated individuals, legal experts, mental health and medical professionals, victims' rights advocates, and correctional specialists. The committee members will be selected by various legislative leaders, the Senate and House chairs, minority leaders, and the Governor, with specific roles assigned to each appointee to balance expertise with lived experience. The changes take effect on October 1, 2026, and aim to improve the committee's composition while maintaining its advisory function to the Department of Correction.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Corrections Mental Health

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 1, 2026

HB 5474: AN ACT CONCERNING OVERSIGHT OF MEDICAL CARE FOR PERSONS WHO ARE INCARCERATED AT THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION.

This bill establishes new oversight requirements for medical care provided to incarcerated individuals at the Department of Correction, directly affecting prisoners and correctional facilities. It mandates that the Commissioner of Correction develop a health care plan by October 1, 2025, ensuring sufficient mental health therapists at each institution and requiring specific protocols for psychotropic medication prescriptions, including thorough medical history reviews and benefit-risk assessments. The legislation also requires annual physical examinations, initial health assessments within 14 days of intake, and appropriate placement in medical or mental health housing units when recommended by medical professionals.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Corrections Mental Health

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 27, 2026

SB 476: AN ACT CONCERNING VISITATION POLICIES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION AND THE TRANSFER OF FUNDS HELD IN TRUST BY THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION TO PERSONS WHO WERE FORMERLY INCARCERATED.

This bill requires the Department of Correction to allow incarcerated individuals housed with the general population to have at least three in-person visits per week and mandates that all communication services, including voice, video, and email, be provided free of charge to inmates. It also prohibits the department from using communication services to replace authorized in-person visits and ensures that the state cannot profit from providing these communication services. Additionally, the bill establishes a process for releasing any remaining funds from an inmate's trust account upon their release, allowing the money to be disbursed via cash, check, or electronic card without any fees. These changes aim to improve visitation access and ensure formerly incarcerated individuals receive their held funds without cost.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 2, 2026

HB 5477: AN ACT CONCERNING THE WELL-BEING OF EMPLOYEES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION AND PERSONS WHO ARE INCARCERATED IN CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS.

This bill requires the Department of Correction and other state facilities that detain offenders to adopt and follow national standards for preventing, detecting, and responding to sexual abuse. It mandates specific policies including zero tolerance for abuse, enhanced privacy protections for transgender individuals, improved surveillance coverage, and specialized training for staff and volunteers. The legislation also establishes reporting requirements, mandates investigations within 30 days of abuse reports, and requires regular compliance certifications to be submitted to state oversight committees.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 14, 2026

HB 5564: AN ACT CONCERNING VICTIM STATEMENTS AND REQUIREMENTS FOR VICTIM NOTIFICATION.

This bill updates Connecticut law to ensure crime victims have a formal opportunity to address the court before a defendant is sentenced or charges are dismissed. It allows victims, their families, or legal representatives to submit oral or written statements regarding the impact of the crime and their views on penalties. Prosecutors must notify victims of sentencing hearings if they wish to make a statement, and for cases involving peace officer assaults, the officer must be personally notified. Additionally, the bill requires prosecutors to provide victims with written details of proposed plea agreements, including potential prison terms and eligibility for sentence reductions or parole. These changes take effect on October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections Sentencing Victims' Rights

signed · Connecticut · House May 26, 2026

HB 5567: AN ACT CONCERNING HEALTH CARE IN THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION FACILITIES.

This bill establishes an Office of the Correction Ombuds within the Office of Governmental Accountability to oversee health care and other services for incarcerated individuals in the Department of Correction. The Ombuds will have the authority to evaluate service delivery, conduct unannounced facility visits, review nonemergency procedures, and receive complaints from incarcerated people through free telephone calls and email. The office will also publish semiannual reports on its activities and has the power to recommend policy changes while remaining independent from departmental control.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Corrections

in committee · Connecticut · House Mar 5, 2026

HB 5439: AN ACT CONCERNING CIVIL IMMIGRATION DETAINERS FOR PERSONS WHO ARE CHARGED WITH THE COMMISSION OF A CLASS A, B OR C FELONY OR A FAMILY VIOLENCE CRIME.

This bill restricts how local law enforcement agencies can share information with federal immigration authorities, specifically prohibiting officers from responding to immigration detainer requests for individuals charged with certain serious crimes. The legislation directly affects state and local police, correctional officers, probation officers, and school security personnel by limiting their ability to assist federal agencies in detaining or transferring individuals who have been charged with Class A, B, or C felonies or family violence offenses. Key provisions include banning law enforcement from providing federal immigration authorities with non-public information about an individual's release dates, addresses, or compliance with probation terms, and preventing agencies from allowing federal officers to interview detainees or use jail facilities for immigration enforcement activities. The bill also defines specific types of confidential information that cannot be shared, including details about an individual's sexual orientation, victim status, witness role, or financial records.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Immigration

Sub-Topics Corrections Domestic Violence Law Enforcement Detention Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

passed · Connecticut · House Apr 22, 2026

HB 5225: AN ACT PROHIBITING CERTAIN LICENSEES AND REGISTRANTS FROM SELLING, DISPENSING, TRANSFERRING OR DELIVERING ANY DRUG OR DEVICE TO EXECUTE A COURT-IMPOSED SENTENCE OF DEATH.

HB 5225 prohibits pharmacies, drug distributors, and manufacturers from selling, dispensing, transferring, or delivering drugs or devices intended for lethal injection executions. It directly affects licensed healthcare entities (like hospitals, pharmacies, and medical suppliers) that might otherwise provide these items to correctional facilities. The law specifically bans such transactions unless the correctional facility has no knowledge the drugs will be used for execution. Exemptions cover routine pharmacy operations (e.g., emergency stock for nursing homes) but exclude any supply for execution purposes. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts

in committee · Connecticut · House Feb 23, 2026

HJ 3: RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE CLAIMS COMMISSIONER'S COMPENSATION AWARD TO MARK STUART WITH RESPECT TO HIS CLAIM AGAINST THE STATE FOR WRONGFUL INCARCERATION.

This House Joint Resolution (HJ 3) confirms a $16,500 compensation award to Mark Stuart for wrongful incarceration by the state. It directly affects Mark Stuart, who was awarded this amount by the Claims Commissioner to compensate for his wrongful imprisonment. The resolution formally approves the Claims Commissioner's decision (file #24394) to pay the funds from the General Fund's adjudicated claims account. This is a procedural confirmation of an existing award, not a new policy or law.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections

All criminal justice bills