Connecticut Democrats support a criminal justice system that provides fair and equitable treatment for all. We are committed to actively rooting out the structural racism in our criminal justice system and eliminating racial and economic disparities. We believe reform must incorporate every aspect of the criminal justice system, including what we choose to criminalize; the practices and behavior of law enforcement professionals; charging, sentencing, and bail; treatment of those incarcerated; diversion and rehabilitation; and reintegration of formerly incarcerated individuals into society.

As a step toward this essential vision, we support the recent call from state law enforcement for additional professional development for working with individuals with mental, intellectual, or physical disabilities. We support augmenting our police with behavioral health specialists for situations where force and arrest may not be appropriate. We are committed to racial and gender diversification in law enforcement, because it is essential for improved relationships between police officers and the communities they serve.

As national leaders in youth justice reform, we must continue to evaluate developmentally appropriate sentencing laws for youth, with consideration of research and the intersection of trauma and justice-involvement.

We support Connecticut continuing its progress as one of the nation’s leaders in reducing its state prison population through reevaluating sentencing laws, expanding compassionate release options, and exploring more alternatives to incarceration.

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