Justice Reinvestment Coalition advocates held a press conference on Friday, February 24th, at 3:30 PM in Hearing Room 1D of the Legislative Office Building. Advocates and partners highlighted the Coalition’s funding proposals addressing the staffing crisis, improving medical attention, mental health supports, and reentry programs, while providing more oversight throughout DOC healthcare.

The Coalition is calling for increases of $30 million to address the staff shortages, $20 million to improve inmate medical services, $5 million to train and recruit formerly incarcerated individuals to work in healthcare and reentry, funding and creating a regulatory oversight body over DOC healthcare, and growing effective reentry strategies through education, training, and discharge programs, and fully funding Unified School District #1. (See “Expand Services to Save Lives” full legislative agenda here: https://bit.ly/3lAbsG9.)

The DOC is scheduled to present the agency’s budget proposal to legislators at 4:00 PM. The State of Connecticut has the resources to create a true “second chance society” if our elected officials find the will to fund these life-changing and lifesaving programs. Let’s pave the way for more successful second chances by caring for the essential needs of inmates as human beings. Let’s help them get back on their feet as inmates prepare to return to our communities.

What:             Press conference by the Justice Reinvestment Coalition on DOC budget

When:            Thursday, February 24, 2023, at 3:30 PM

Where:           Legislative Office Building – Hearing Room 1D, 300 Capitol Avenue, Hartford

Who:  Justice Reinvestment Coalition, Regulate DOC Healthcare Coalition,
ACLU, Recovery for All, Stop Solitary CT, Transitions Clinic Network,
YWCA, CSEA SEIU Local 2001, SEIU District 1199 New England
state workers at DOC, union leaders, Rep. Robyn Porter

Watch the livestream here: