Connecticut Governor Rell Details Steps to Safeguard Residents, Reduce Public Risk from Violent Offenders

September 24, 2007 -- Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell today detailed the steps the Department of Correction and the Board of Pardons and Paroles are taking at her direction to ensure that violent offenders who pose a risk to society are not paroled or allowed to remain on parole. The Governor on Friday suspended approval of future parole for any inmate serving a sentence involving a violent offense and ordered that any current parolee released after serving time for a violent crime be returned to prison if they violate their parole in any way.

“We will not take unnecessary risks with public safety,” Governor Rell said. “The security of Connecticut residents, their homes and their families is my top priority. We will ensure that violent offenders who pose a risk to society stay behind bars while continuing to help non-violent offenders make the most effective transition possible back to society.”

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These steps are under way:

CURRENT PAROLEES: At the Governor’s direction, the Department of Correction is reviewing the records of about 1,590 current parolees, of whom some 600 to 800 were paroled after committing a violent crime. Governor Rell on Friday directed that any violations of the terms and conditions of their release – technical or otherwise – will result in reincarceration.

PAROLE REVOCATIONS: In keeping with Governor Rell’s orders, the Board will begin parole revocation proceedings on any referrals from the Department of Correction identified in its review of current parolees. That is, any violation that impacts public safety will result in the offender returning to prison.

ELECTRONIC MONITORING: Following the Governor’s order on Friday, the Department of Correction returned to temporary custody about a half-dozen parolees who were supposed to be on standard or GPS-based electronic monitoring but had not yet been fitted with the monitors. Increased supervision of parolees who committed offenses such as burglarizing occupied homes or nighttime burglaries has led to a temporary shortage of monitors. Governor Rell has ordered that the parolees be held until they can be fitted with the monitors.

SOCIAL FURLOUGHS: Third, “social furloughs” for parolees at halfway houses have been temporarily suspended. Parolees will still be permitted to leave the halfway houses for work, services and programs and for religious services.

PRE-PAROLE REVIEWS: At Governor Rell’s direction, the Board of Pardons and Paroles is reviewing the cases of some 400 to 600 inmates who have been “voted to parole” – that is, the Board has voted to grant them release but they have not yet been released. The panel will ensure that all case files are complete, including sentencing transcripts and any pre-sentence investigation report. As Governor Rell directed Friday, any violent offenders will remain incarcerated.

“LEVEL ONE” INMATE REVIEWS: As directed by Governor Rell, the Department of Correction is reviewing the files of some 1,200 “Level One” inmates to identify non-violent offenders who may benefit from release to a halfway house or other alternative form of supervision. “Level One” inmates are inmates who are eligible for community release at the discretion of the Commissioner of the Department of Correction. This will help open bed space for violent offenders who are reincarcerated.

Governor Rell said there are no current or expected plans to expand prison capacity beyond the actions already under way at the Carl Robinson Correctional Institution, which is reopening some beds. Nor are there any current or expected plans to house inmates anywhere out of state. In 2005, Governor Rell ordered that all state inmates housed out of state be returned to Connecticut for the remainder of their sentences.

Source: Connecticut Governor