Joshua Hall

In 2011, the State Office of Policy and Management conducted a study of inmates discharged from prison in 2008 over a two year period.  The study found that 56 percent of offenders were re-arrested and 27 percent began a new sentence. 

In February 2018 OPM’s Justice Policy and Planning Division studied inmates who were released in 2014 over a three year period and found 60 percent were re-arrested and 34 percent returned to prison for a new incarceration term, an increase of approximately 21 percent.

How do we turn around these numbers? We are looking at issues like housing, education, health care and more.

A working group meeting was recently held with the Commission on Equity and Opportunity to study housing options for formerly incarcerated individuals, an issue particularly concerning for convicted felons that have served their time.

According to federal and state law, renters are given discretion in providing housing options to prospective tenants, especially if those tenants spent time behind bars. We are attempting to change that through legislation introduced during the 2018 legislative session to provide housing options for residents released from prison, and calls for the working group and Commission on Equity and Opportunity to submit a report of recommendations by Jan. 1, 2019.

Access to education is also a goal that will give former inmates more options – studies have demonstrated that post-secondary education can positively impact inmates by promoting relationships with other inmates and the enrolled inmate’s relationship with their families.  It was also found that recidivism rates tend to be higher among males with low academic achievement.

On Wednesday, Aug. 1, 16 male prisoners sentenced to Cheshire Correctional Institution participated in graduation ceremonies from the Wesleyan Center for Prison Education and Middlesex Community College.  A graduation ceremony was held a week prior for nine female prisoners at the York Correctional Institution, located in Niantic.

Additionally, the state is looking at different systems of health care to aid prisoners.

During a hearing Monday, July 30, lawmakers discussed the management of prison health care with officials from UConn Health, which managed Correctional Managed Health Care until it was dissolved early this July after growing concerns regarding cost prompted the DOC to take it over.

Connecticut has been at work finding ways to reduce recidivism rates in the state, and searching for new ways to connect inmates with the surrounding communities. Identifying how Connecticut can better meet the needs of those who have been released from incarceration or who are still incarcerated will reduce recidivism and improve the quality of life in our neighborhoods.