Connecticut has suspended permitting prison sentences to be reduced after the furor over a large increase in the number of commuted inmates, the governor announced Thursday.
After it was revealed that 71 sentences had been commuted in 2022, conservative lawmakers and victims’ rights advocates had called for a moratorium on commuting and a review of state pardon board policies. rice field. From 2017 to 2021 he has only been approved three times.
Among those commuted were 44 convicted murderers, who, according to lawmakers, had reduced their sentences by an average of 15 years.
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Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont last week replaced the chairman of the parole board and met with leaders of Congress’ Judiciary Committee on Wednesday to discuss how the commutation is being handled.
Connecticut has temporarily suspended issuing commuted prison sentences after public backlash over a significant increase in the number of convictions being commuted. (Fox News)
“During the meeting, Board leaders informed participants that the exchange process would be suspended pending an expedited review of policies and processes,” he said in a statement.
Republicans applauded the decision.
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“We continue to promote an open and transparent process to keep all victims, lawmakers, prosecutors and defense attorneys informed about how this reduced rate policy should be amended,” said Groton. State Senator Heather Somers said. “We need to collectively decide what that policy is: what is fair, what is just, and what is right.”
According to Hearst Connecticut Media, the board’s executive director, Richard Sparaco, said the board should establish protocols for notifying victims and allowing those who were denied waivers to reapply after three years. He said he would look into aspects of the policy that have drawn criticism, such as the rule that
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According to a statement posted on the board’s website, it will resume accepting waiver applications “in the coming months.”
