Anne Hughes

I attended a press conference last week hosted by the Connecticut Alliance to End Sexual Violence, during which advocates, survivors, and legislators (including me) called for codifying the Prison Rape Elimination Act.

The press conference follows a disturbing four-year investigation into abuse at Connecticut Department of Correction’s York Correctional Institution. The report found systemic failures to protect incarcerated women — particularly those with mental illness — from sexual abuse by correction officers. Survivors reported retaliation fears, lack of confidential reporting, and inadequate mental health care. While the department states it has passed federal audits under the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) and maintains zero tolerance for abuse, advocates argue federal enforcement is limited and inconsistent.

The governor’s bill would codify PREA standards into Connecticut law. It would require independent review of all sexual assault complaints by the Correction Ombuds, mandate annual public reporting, ensure immediate and ongoing access to sexual assault crisis services, and create stronger state-level accountability—regardless of federal changes.

This legislation is about transparency, oversight, and dignity. Sexual violence in custody is not inevitable — it is preventable. We have a legal and moral obligation to ensure that anyone in state custody is safe, protected, and heard.

The press conference also called for limiting or banning nondisclosure agreements to protect sexual violence survivors. Given what we are learning out of the Epstein files, the time of silencing and intimidating survivors of sexual violence and coercion must end here in Connecticut. One way to do so, is eliminating the enforceability of nondisclosure agreements, which merely serve to protect predators and abusers, allowing them to continue to hide and, often, victimize others. Our current system of the casual use of NDAs in all sorts of industries, where workers must sign these as part of employment, is complicit in allowing predators to continue to abuse employees in all sorts of workplaces. The powerful and rich must not be above the law, especially if we change the law.

The House is back in session tomorrow (Feb. 26). 

Stay informed and engaged by following along live and on-demand at CT-N. Tune in for gavel-to-gavel coverage, in-depth discussions, and the latest updates as decisions are made.

Governor Ned Lamont announced that the Connecticut Student Loan Reimbursement Program has opened a new grant round and is now accepting applications for student loan payments that were made during the 2025 calendar year.

Since launching its first grant round in January 2025, the program has awarded more than $2.2 million in reimbursements to borrowers statewide.

Eligible applicants can apply for reimbursement grants of up to $5,000 per year, with a maximum reimbursement of $20,000 over four years. Under the program, a new grant round launches each year, providing reimbursements for payments made during the preceding calendar year.

Eligible applicants may qualify if they:

• Are Connecticut residents and meet program residency requirements
• Made qualifying student loan payments during the 2025 calendar year
• Earned a degree from a Connecticut institution of higher education or completed a state-approved program required for professional licensure or certification
• Meet income limits of $125,000 for single filers or $175,000 for married filers
• Completed required community service or qualify for a hardship waiver in certain circumstances

Applications must be submitted online through the CT Scholars portal, where applicants need to complete an application and upload required documentation. Applications will be reviewed on a first come first serve basis through December 2026 or until funds are exhausted.

Click here for application instructions. Questions regarding the program and the application process can be directed to OHE.SLRP@ct.gov.

The Mark Twain Library in Redding is hosting a history of beer in America on Thursday, Feb. 26, from 7 to 8 p.m.

Join author and cartoonist Em Sauter for an evening featuring 250 years of U.S. brewing history.

Beer samples will be provided. Participants must be 21 or over to attend.

Register here.