Union members to call for resources needed to accommodate growing prison population while assuring the safety and security of the public at legislative hearing
WHAT: Testimony to the General Assembly's Judiciary Committee during a public hearing on several proposed criminal justice reform bills
WHEN: Wednesday, March 12 beginning at 12:00 p.m.
WHERE: Room 2E of the Legislative Office Building, located at 300 Capitol Avenue, in Hartford.
DETAILS: With elected officials facing tough and unpopular political choices for how to accommodate Connecticut's growing inmate population, criminal justice professionals united in CSEA/SEIU Local 2001 are again speaking out for comprehensive reforms. Since the tragic triple-homicide in Cheshire last summer, union members have appealed to lawmakers to invest resources needed for appropriate staffing levels, safe and secure facilities, and effective mental health, education, and vocational services for the incarcerated, who will eventually re-enter our communities.
Members of the union working in the Connecticut Department of Correction (DOC) will testify in support of two bills raised in the 2008 legislative session at today's hearing:
"An Act Concerning Prison Overcrowding;" and
"An Act Concerning Programs And Services For Female Inmates."
"We are responsible for over 4,500 inmates who have been diagnosed with some form of mental illness" Mark Lucey, a lieutenant in the DOC says in testimony to be delivered to the Committee. He will address the challenges presented to correctional supervisors by the rising number of inmates with mental health disorders and will call for more effective training and support for DOC professionals.
"I believe an inmate needs to be making progress before they should be considered for release" Roland Bishop, who works as a state school teacher in the DOC's York institute, says in his written testimony. He will urge the agency shift to a "results-based outcome" model and utilize more inmate educational and vocational training to reduce recidivism.
CSEA/SEIU Local 2001 members will be available for comment at the Legislative Office Building throughout the public hearing. Members of the press may contact CSEA/SEIU Local 2001's Communications Director Matt O'Connor at 860/951-6614, extension 129, or by sending e-mail to moconnor@csea760.com to schedule interviews.