Press Releases
05/09/2018
Gov. Malloy Applauds Final Approval of Special Parole Legislation
Governor Plans to Sign Bill into Law in the Coming Days
(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Dannel P. Malloy and Department of Corrections (DOC) Commissioner Scott Semple are commending members of the Connecticut General Assembly for voting unanimously this afternoon to approve legislation that will re-focus use of special parole sentences on high risk, violent and sexual offenders. This measure will address the overuse of special parole sentences on non-violent offenders, while allowing parole officers to focus their attention on the highest risk offenders.
The legislation was proposed by Governor Malloy and championed by DOC Commissioner Semple. It was passed unanimously in both the House of Representatives and in the Senate. It now heads to the Governor’s desk for his signature.
“The passage of this legislation will provide increased opportunities for non-violent offenders, while allowing parole officers to focus their time and attention on violent, high-risk individuals,” said Governor Malloy. “I’d like to thank Commissioner Semple for his tireless advocacy on this issue, as well as the members of the General Assembly who voted for this important measure. Together, we’re reforming our criminal justice system from one based on permanent punishment, to one committed to reforming incarcerated individuals into productive members of society. Together, we’re making Connecticut a safer place to live.”
"Ensuring that Special Parole is used as it was originally intended to be allows our Parole staff to focus on offenders in the community identified to need the most reentry assistance,” said Department of Corrections Commissioner Scott Semple. “Essentially, this is about enhancing public safety."
The legislation is Senate Bill 14, An Act Concerning Special Parole Sentences for High Risk, Violent and Sexual Offenders. The bill:
- Increase public safety by ensuring high-risk offenders are properly supervised in the community
- Allow for better allocation of parole supervision resources
- Provide Commissioner of Corrections increased flexibility in determining appropriate allocation of half-way house beds
- Exempt non-violent drug offenses from special parole
- Provide specific factors to be considered when imposing a period of special parole
The Governor plans to sign it into law in the coming days.
- Twitter: @GovMalloyOffice
- Facebook: Office of Governor Dannel P. Malloy