Malloy signs ‘historic’ criminal justice reforms into Connecticut law

Sen. Eric Coleman, D-Bloomfield, talks strategy before a filibuster by the Black and Puerto Rican Caucus on the last day of the legislature’s regular session. Sen. Eric Coleman, D-Bloomfield, talks strategy before a filibuster by the Black and Puerto Rican Caucus on the last day of the legislature’s regular session. Photo: (Elizabeth Regan - CTNewsJunkie) Photo: (Elizabeth Regan - CTNewsJunkie) Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Malloy signs ‘historic’ criminal justice reforms into Connecticut law 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

Two bills addressing criminal justice reforms have been signed into law by Gov. Dannel P. Malloy in a move addressing disparities in the way citizens are treated by police and the courts.

Against the backdrop of high-profile shootings of unarmed black men by police officers across the country, the state legislature’s Black and Puerto Rican Caucus advocated for a measure to promote a more diverse police force that is accountable for its actions. Known as the “excessive force” bill, it calls on departments to promote “racial, gender, and ethnic diversity” in their staffing and to provide instruction on issues related to deadly physical force, cultural sensitivity, and the use of body cameras. It sets aside $15 million to purchase the cameras and data storage.

Meanwhile, Malloy’s priority was the so-called “Second Chance Society” bill to reduce incarceration rates among nonviolent offenders. It treats drug possession as a misdemeanor and eliminates mandatory minimum sentences for nonviolent drug possession. It also speeds up parole hearings for low-risk inmates and eases the process by which ex-offenders earn a full pardon.

Rep. Bruce Morris, a Norwalk Democrat who heads the legislature’s Black and Puerto Rican Caucus, said the Governor’s signature on bills addressing police brutality and failed drug policy represent a “historic moment.”

Morris characterized the two new laws as the first steps in reversing decades of institutionalized discrimination. He said it’s a victory for the minority residents his caucus represents, but the benefits are universal.

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