Undercurrents

I recently read a blog article discussing the Constitutionality of the Connecticut Bail Bond system. Some of us who have been arrested or know others who have, recognize the disproportional impacts of the bail system, especially around race and class. This article (as well as one in 2007) was written by Christine Stuart [CT News Junkie titled Challenging Connecticut’s Bail Bond system. Is it Constitutional?]. In this article Christine discusses the ongoing lawsuit by Hartford Attorney A. Paul Spinella claiming that Connecticut’s bail system is unconstitutional because it treats minorities differently than non-minorities and deprives indigent individuals of their rights. In a key section she notes:

Spinella said he’s found 55 instances where state courts have set bail amounts for minorities that were higher than those set for whites charged in similar crimes. And 140 instances where indigent people charged with substantial crimes were forced to spend months in jail because they were unable to post bond.

It was also quite interesting to read that the Connecticut legislature has wrestled with changes to the bail bond system for almost 20 years, yet few (more…)

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In the early hours of this morning, the Connecticut legislature passed a watered-down but still dangerous change to the existing “three strikes” criminal sentencing statute. The change requires that judges double or triple the mandatory minimum sentence for a person classified as a persistent dangerous felony offender. The amendment also requires that if a prosecutor does not choose to seek harsher sentencing in a case involving someone who qualifies as a persistent violent felony offender, the prosecutor must state on the record his or her reason for not doing so. The bill as passed also provides sums that can only be described as pocket change for the Public Defender’s office and for re-entry services for previously incarcerated people.

Thanks to the battle waged by the Clean Slate Committee and its allies, as well as the stalwart opposition of a few principled legislators, this new law is a far cry from the kind of three strikes that Governor Rell demanded. The fact remains, however, that the process that permitted this morning’s amendments to pass speaks volumes about the version of “democracy” that the existing political system provides. (more…)

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Today at the Capitol a coalition of social justice and criminal justice reform groups, including the Clean Slate Committee, Black Lowe, The Alliance Connecticut, People Against Injustice, American Friends Service Committee, and Youth Rights Media from New Haven, held a rally and press conference against the “three strikes” legislation proposed by Governor Rell.

(more…)

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Angela Davis will be speaking at Central Connecticut State University in New Britain on Thursday, April 24th. She will be taking part in two panel discussions, the first at 2:00 titled “Are Prisons Obsolete?” and the second at 5:30 titled “Race, Class and Gender Issues in American Society.” The talks are in Torp Theatre in Davidson Hall.

(more…)

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Are past convictions affecting your present and your future? Find out how to apply for a Non-Inmate Pardon to clear your record and move forward with your life! Your privacy will be respected. Or if you have completed your sentence, and are violation-free, you MAY be eligible to apply for a Pardon to expunge your criminal record.

Pardon Forum

Presented by
the Connecticut Pardon Team
And the UCONN School of Social Work
And Keynote by STATE REPRESENTATIVE DOUGLAS MCCRORY

Tuesday, April 1 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Hartford Public Library Downtown Library, Main Floor 500 Main Street, Hartford, CT 06103

Registration required: Call TOLL-FREE 1-866-251-3810 Or visit www.connecticutpardonteam.com

For directions or more information, please call the library at 695-6295 or visit our web site www.hplct.org.

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