Press Releases
03/19/2018
Gov. Malloy Introduces Juvenile Justice Reform Legislation
Legislative Proposal Raises the Age of Juvenile Justice Jurisdiction; Expands Opportunity for Youthful Offenders to Lead Productive Lives
(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Dannel P. Malloy today announced that he has submitted two legislative proposals to the Connecticut General Assembly that will help avoid exposing young people to the adult criminal justice system, giving them a chance at a life full of potential instead of a life of crime. Both bills are scheduled to receive public hearings in the legislature’s Judiciary Committee tomorrow, March 21.
Over the last several years, Connecticut has been reimagining its criminal justice system and focusing on second chances rather than permanent punishment and stigma. By implementing smart criminal justice policy, the state has managed to drastically reduce its prison population, while simultaneously reducing recidivism and violent crime. The juvenile justice legislation that the Governor is proposing would continue this trend.
“We know that if we can avoid exposing young adults who have committed less serious crimes to the adult criminal justice system, the less likely those young adults are to reoffend and ultimately become incarcerated,” Governor Malloy said. “The bottom line is young people make mistakes. Treating them as adults in the criminal justice system is a disservice to them and to our society, impedes their potential, and opens them up to a life of crime instead of a life of learning. Through this legislation, we’re offering our young people who have made mistakes a greater chance at a decent and productive life.”
“Thanks to Governor Malloy’s leadership, the state’s youth who are involved with the criminal justice system have a better chance than ever to learn from their transgressions and become productive citizens, rather than career criminals,” Department of Correction Commissioner Scott Semple said. “I am eager to continue working with the Governor, legislators, and all stakeholders to continue to build on our progress.”
“I’m glad to be able to support Governor Malloy in his efforts to raise the age of those remanded to the juvenile justice system, because he understands that we need a more developmentally appropriate response to young offenders,” Suffolk County, Massachusetts Sheriff Steven W. Tompkins said. “As many people working in and around the criminal justice system are already well aware, emerging adults need specialized guidance and strong social networks to support them both behind the walls and in their communities – programming and services that differ from that of older, more mature offenders. While we must still hold these youths accountable for their actions, clearly we need to do so in a more rehabilitative and individualized system.”
“The proposals in these two bills follow bipartisan research around what works for public safety and community well-being,” Abby Anderson, Executive Director of the Connecticut Juvenile Justice Alliance, said. “Giving young people in conflict with the law lifelong stigma and barriers to success does not improve public safety, but hinders it. We applaud the Malloy administration for knowing that it is time to stop investing in a system that has hurt communities – mostly those of color – and instead time to invest in communities themselves.”
Recent decisions by the United State Supreme Court and scientific studies regarding the development of the brain areas involved in reasoning and self-control indicate that individuals age 18, 19, and 20 share numerous similarities to those in the 16 and 17-year-old age group.
The first bill (House Bill 5040, An Act Concerning Adjudication of Certain Young Adults in Juvenile Court), known as “raise the age,” expands the age of the juvenile justice system’s jurisdiction up to age 21 by July 2021. Specifically, this proposal creates a new category within the jurisdiction of the juvenile justice system for individuals between the ages of 18 and 20 called “young adults.” Young adults would fall under juvenile justice jurisdiction in most circumstances, and – where appropriate – would benefit from the protections and services provided by the state’s juvenile justice system.
The second bill (House Bill 5042, An Act Concerning Prosecution of Low-Risk Offenders in Adult Court) expands “youthful offender” status. Under current law, certain low-risk, young adults age 17 and under who are transferred to adult court have the opportunity to plead guilty to the charge of being a “youthful offender” instead of to the original charge. Under this legislation, protections currently afforded to individuals age 17 and under in adult court would be extended to individuals up to their 21st birthday to prevent them from having permanent and life-altering consequences from impulsive and reckless behavior typical of their age group. “Youthful offender” status may not be used by individuals charged with the most serious crimes, including class A felonies, sexual assault and rape. This bill will also ensure that judges and prosecutors continue to retain discretion to handle each case on an individual basis.
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