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Dear Neighbor,
This week I testified in front of Government Oversight Committee about updating our state’s systemic, traumatizing policy of mandatory strip searches in the Department of Corrections. Our state sanctioned system of frequent mandatory strip searches of incarcerated individuals, especially without probable cause, is humiliating, degrading and traumatic for the incarcerated and contributes to increased confrontations with correction staff and escalating use of force. Connecticut has authorized the payout of tens of millions of dollars for recent claims of incarcerated families due to wrongful death suits and other harms. It’s time for a better, safer way.
There is evidenced-based, safer policy in other states and systems that use strip searches ONLY for probable cause, must be documented, and that implement the non-invasive body scanners, which would cost approximately $158,000 per unit. I am sincerely grateful for the new Government Oversight Committee for raising this proposal to create greater oversight and accountability to an outdated policy that compounds trauma and erodes safety within our system for both staff and incarcerated. It's time the state ended this abusive, outdated, harmful policy.
Video of my testimony can be watched below. |
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| Welcoming Girl Scouts to the Capitol |
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| It's always gratifying to welcome Girl Scouts from across the state to the State Capitol. As a former Girl Scout, I even got to re-commit to the Girl Scout Promise in this video and talk about my job serving them and the wider public! |
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| Help For All Laid-Off Workers |
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The governor's message to recently laid-off federal workers has drawn criticism from some who believe those workers are receiving preferential treatment.
To be clear, state employers have 70,000+ jobs available and are working to recruit, train, and retain workers. The CTDOL has responded with a reminder that its services are available to all job seekers and employers.
Commissioner Dante Bartolomeo recently wrote an op-ed in the Waterbury Republican-American noting that federal workers, unlike those recently laid off by private employers in the state, received no warning or notice that they were losing their jobs.
"Due to the scale and speed of the layoffs and the fact that CTDOL [was] not notified in advance, federal workers are disadvantaged coming right out of the gate," Barolomeo wrote.
For information on the services the CTDOL provides, please visit here. |
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Celebrating International Women’s Day last week, I was so pleased to join my legislative colleagues on a panel discussion “Voices of Leadership” at the 2025 CASC Convention of student leaders from across the state. This year's theme was "The Importance of Community Involvement in Leadership” at Woodland Regional High School.
I was indeed impressed to field thoughtful, challenging questions from the students on, among other things, how we ensure underrepresented groups are heard, how young people can become more active and involved in their local government, and the role technology and data play in the legislative process. I have faith in this generation of leaders, indeed! Kudos to these Advisors, especially Advisor of the Year, who invited me😊 |
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| Lowering Prescription Medicine Costs |
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| This week I was honored to attend a timely panel of the World Affairs Council of CT with the Ambassador of Sweden to the U.S. about the future of democracy. I was also able to briefly to discuss the opportunities for procurement of generic medicines and insulin from Sweden as other states have done to lower costs to Connecticut patients. |
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As always, please feel free to contact my office at 800-842-8267 or by email at anne.hughes@cga.ct.gov. And "Like" and follow my Facebook page for regular legislative updates.
Peace,
Anne Hughes
State Representative |
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