CTJA Statement Regarding Governor Lamont's Veto of the Protect Act
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BRIDGEPORT, CT (July 1, 2021) - In response to the Lamont administration’s veto of the Protect Act, SB 1029, that would have set statutory limits on the use of solitary confinement in Connecticut prisons among other fixes to a legal system based in punishment, and instead issuing an executive order limiting the practice. CTJA Executive Director Christina Quaranta has shared the following statement:
“We are deeply disappointed by the actions of Governor Lamont. Continuing to push the narrative that the use of solitary confinement in Connecticut prisons is meant to keep the public safe is not only false but dangerous,”
“Governor Lamont had the opportunity to reform a broken system, yet he chose to go against empirical data and the will of Connecticut’s residents. The listed reasons behind Governor Lamont’s veto are factually incorrect. Even though we believe isolating people is a form of torture, we know that there are humane ways to house incarcerated individuals who pose a risk to themselves or others.
The Constitution of the State of Connecticut and the United States Constitution dictates that the ‘State should deliver a standard of treatment of incarcerated people consistent with evolving community standards.’
How many more studies do we need to complete before our government officials realize that the use of solitary confinement as a punishment is torture, unconscionable, and unconstitutional?”
ABOUT THE CONNECTICUT JUSTICE ALLIANCE
The Connecticut Justice Alliance (CTJA) is a youth/adult partnership working to end the criminalization of youth. The Alliance works to disrupt and dismantle the pathways that funnel children and youth into the juvenile justice system by using organizing, advocacy, and policy tools to protect the rights, futures, and well-being of potentially, currently, and formerly incarcerated youth while also ensuring youth who are detained, incarcerated, and involved in the courts and legal systems receive safe, fair, and dignified treatment.
CTJA was formerly known as the Connecticut Juvenile Justice Alliance.