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January 23, 2008
CT: Major changes to criminal justice system proposed
Tuesday, January 22, 2008 2:25 PM EST
Major changes to criminal justice system proposed
The legislature's Democratic majority proposed a package of comprehensive changes to the criminal justice system in Connecticut today.
The crime bill is a response to last summer's triple homicide and home invasion in Cheshire. Lawmakers are meeting in special session today to consider the legislation.
After opening the special session, Democrats and Republicans in the House of Representatives and Senate have been in caucus since the late morning.
The Democratic legislation includes the following provisions:
Creates a new crime of home invasion.
Revises the burglary statute.
Reworks the persistent offender statute.
Reconfigures the Board of Pardons and Parole.
Expands the rights of crime victims and their immediate families.
Mandates secure video connections at state prisons for parole hearings.
Requires the court and prison systems provide 270 additional beds for diversionary and prison re-entry programs.
Commands the court and prison systems provide 24 beds in secured treatment centers for sex offenders.
Directs the court system to create an Internet registry for outstanding arrest warrants for violation of probation.
Requires the prison system to monitor 300 more inmates by global positioning satellite technology.
Makes juvenile court records available to Board of Pardons and Parole and the Department of Correction.
Requires the court system establish a statewide automated victim information and notification system.
Establishes a committee to propose incentives for municipalities to host transitional housing for released offenders.
Orders the court, prison and parole systems to devise how to assess the risks of offenders of re-offending.
Requires annual reporting to the legislature on developments in the criminal justice system.
Mandates the development of a centralized, integrated criminal justice tracking and information database.
Sets up a diversionary program for persons with psychiatric disabilities accused of crimes or motor vehicle violations.
Authorizes $19 million in transfers in the state's two-year, $36 billion budget to finance some initiatives.
http://www.rep-am.com/articles/2008/01/22/newsblog/doc479642c5353dc173185496
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Posted by lois at January 23, 2008 05:07 PM