HARTFORD – Chief State’s Attorney Patrick J. Griffin was honored during the September 14, 2025 induction ceremony for the 2025 class of the Connecticut Hall of Change.
The event, hailed as a national model for reentry and restorative justice, brought together justice leaders, community advocates, and formerly incarcerated individuals whose lives now serve as beacons of hope and change. Eight individuals from across Connecticut were inducted into the Hall of Change during the ceremony at TheaterWorks in Hartford where Chief State’s Attorney Griffin was honored with the Reentry Community Support Champion 2025 award.
“He works within a system that isn’t always easy or enjoyable, but he shows up every day with heart and honesty,” Charles Grady, the founder and CEO of the Connecticut Hall of Change, said about Chief State’s Attorney Griffin and his support of both the organization and those striving to transform their lives after prison. “That kind of integrity is rare, and it deserves recognition. I’m grateful for your presence here today.”
In his acceptance speech, Chief State’s Attorney Griffin extended congratulations on behalf of the Division of Criminal Justice to the eight inductees - Sean Reeves, Taj Amir Abdur Rahman, Roger Johnson Jr., Jerod Geter, Dr. Joyce Bellamy, Ruben Johnson-Santiago, Angel “Yummy” Hubbard and Dr. Kevin Paulin. He said he was honored to receive the award from the Connecticut Hall of Change.
“This program, envisioned by Charlie Grady, is the first of its kind in the United States,” Chief States Attorney Griffin said. “Because of the tremendous efforts of those involved, other states are now looking to replicate this model. It’s not just a model for Connecticut. It’s a model for the nation.”
Quoting Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Chief State’s Attorney Griffin reminded the audience that “change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability but comes through continuous struggle.” He emphasized that the inductees understand this better than anyone. “Real, lasting, transformative change is hard. It is difficult. It is life-altering, but it is also life-affirming,” he said.
The Hall of Change honors individuals who have not only turned their own lives around but also have committed themselves to improving the lives of others.
“These are individuals who have often been overlooked - not only by our traditional systems but also by society as a whole,” he said. “Their work is not just personal, it’s communal, and that is what makes their recognition tonight so significant.”
Chief State’s Attorney Griffin also spoke about the evolving role of prosecutors and the justice system. “The single most important issue facing this generation of criminal justice leaders is a lack of faith in the system,” he said. “We’ve charged our prosecutors with building relationships where none have existed before and restoring trust in communities that have lost faith.”
This kind of work requires a willingness to engage in community engagement efforts and to have some difficult conversations, Chief State’s Attorney Griffin said.
“We will not always agree, but we can agree that when we disagree, we can do it in a respectful manner. We must recognize that though we will not always be in agreement, we can always learn from each other.”
To that end, Chief State’s Attorney Griffin said the Division of Criminal Justice has integrated the voices of the Hall of Change into its training and outreach programs. Every new prosecutor undergoes a rigorous boot camp that includes not only legal instruction but also direct engagement with individuals who have experienced incarceration and a visit to a Connecticut correctional facility.
“Prosecutors must understand that the files they handle represent human lives,” he said. “We must make difficult decisions, and I don't apologize for that, but we must also recognize the weight of those decisions.”
Chief State’s Attorney Griffin said the Hall of Change also has played a key role in programs at the Division of Criminal Justice, including the annual Office of the Chief State’s Attorney’s Camp Justice, a week-long summer initiative for rising ninth graders, and the Civilian Academy, which brings together community members and those who work for the Division of Criminal Justice.
