STATE OF CONNECTICUT SENTENCING COMMISSION 2013 ANNUAL REPORT 185 Main Street, Room 212 New Britain, CT 06051 860-832-1853 January 28, 2015 Hon. David M. Borden Chair Undersecretary Mike Lawlor To: The Honorable Dannel P. Malloy, Governor Vice Chair The Honorable Chase T. Rogers, Chief Justice The Honorable Members of the Connecticut General Assembly Andrew Clark Acting Executive Director Leland J. Moore, Program Administrator Public Act No. 10-129, which created the Connecticut Sentencing Commission, Research & Policy Associate requires the Commission to report to you annually upon its work and any recommendations it may have concerning sentencing statutes, policies and practices. Accordingly, I submit the Commission’s report for the year 2013. W ebsite: This report describes the work of the Commission during the year 2013 and www.ct.gov/opm/csc includes three proposals that were submitted for consideration at the 2014 legislative Email: session, as well as administrative recommendations to the Department of Correction. [email protected] I would like to express the Commission’s gratitude to the following entities for their Mailing Address: assistance in fulfilling our mission: Institute for Municipal and Regional Policy at Central Connecticut State University, the Civil Justice Clinic at Quinnipiac University School of Institute for Municipal & Regional Law, and the Students and Faculty at Yale Law School. Policy Central Connecticut State University, Downtown Campus Room 212 185 Main ST New Britain, CT 06051 Respectfully, David M. Borden Chair, Connecticut Sentencing Commission PREPARED BY: INSTITUTE FOR MUNICIPAL AND REGIONAL POLICY Central Connecticut State University Andrew J. Clark, Director Leland J. Moore, Esq., Research & Policy Associate Jason DePatie, Research & Policy Associate Madonna Burns, Student Worker The Institute for Municipal and Regional Policy (IMRP) is a non- partisan, University-based organization, dedicated to enriching the quality of local, state, and national public policy. The Mission of the IMRP is to effectively advance and ensure a just, equitable, and inclusive Connecticut through nonpartisan research, public policy analysis and development, and community engagement. Working for fair, effective and just public policy through applied research and community engagement, the IMRP utilizes the resources of CCSU students, staff and faculty to develop, shape and improve public policy on issues of municipal and regional concern. The IMRP accomplishes this through a variety of targeted approaches such as: public education and dialogue; published reports, articles and policy papers; pilot program design, implementation and oversight; and the facilitation of collaborations between the University, government, private organizations and the general community. The IMRP aspires to be a respected and visible presence throughout the State of Connecticut, known for its ability to promote, develop and implement just, effective public policy. The IMRP adheres to non- partisan, evidence-based practices and conducts and disseminates its scientific research in accordance with strict, ethical standards. The IMRP is responsive to social and community concerns by initiating projects addressing specific needs and interests of the general public and policymakers, as well as sponsoring conferences, forums, and professional trainings. Access to state-of-the-art technology and multi-media enhances the IMRP’s ability to advance best practices to improve the quality of public policy in the State of Connecticut and nationwide. TABLE OF CONTENTS PART I: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ......................................................................................................... 1 PART II: THE COMMISSION Organizational Information ........................................................................................................................ 2 Commissioners ........................................................................................................................................... 4 Committees & Working Groups ................................................................................................................ 6 Budget ........................................................................................................................................................ 8 PART III: NATIONAL OVERVIEW OF SENTENCING COMMISSIONS Overview of Sentencing Commissions .................................................................................................... 9 National Association of Sentencing Commissions (NASC) ................................................................. 10 PART IV: THE WORK OF THE COMMISSION & ITS COMMITTEES Commission Meetings ............................................................................................................................ 11 Committee Highlights ............................................................................................................................. 12 Steering Committee .................................................................................................................. 12 Committee on Sentencing Structure, Policy and Practices ....................................................... 12 Committee on Research, Measurement and Evaluation ........................................................... 13 Committee on Recidivism Reduction ....................................................................................... 13 Legislative Committee .............................................................................................................. 14 PART V: UPDATE ON 2013 LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS Summary ............................................................................................................................................... 15 Proposals ............................................................................................................................................... 16 PART VI: 2014 LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS Summary ................................................................................................................................................ 18 Public Hearing........................................................................................................................................ 18 Proposals ................................................................................................................................................ 19 Reconsidering Sentences Imposed on Juveniles ....................................................................... 19 Removing Barriers to Employment for Convicted Persons ...................................................... 21 Drug-Free School Zones ........................................................................................................... 23 PART VII: CONCLUSION ..................................................................................................................... 26 APPENDICES A. C.G.S. § 54-300 .......................................................................................................................... 27 B. FY-2015 Budget Proposal........................................................................................................... 30 C. National Sentencing Commissions ............................................................................................. 35 D. Policy on Consensus Decision-Making ...................................................................................... 38 E. Informational Forum Agenda ...................................................................................................... 40 F. Recommendations to the Connecticut Department of Correction ............................................... 42 G. Report on Incarceration & Child Support Obligations ............................................................... 47 H. Report on Evidence-Based Reentry Initiatives ........................................................................... 75 I. Public Act 13-28 ........................................................................................................................ 117 J. Public Act 13-258 ...................................................................................................................... 120 K. Public Act 13-144 ..................................................................................................................... 176 L. Public Act 13-68 ....................................................................................................................... 180 PART I: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This report is organized into seven parts beginning with the Executive Summary. The second part addresses the Commission’s creation, membership, and legislative mandate. The third part examines the national landscape of Sentencing Commissions and their funding mechanisms. Part four highlights the work of the Commission and its five standing committees. Part five provides an update on the Commission’s 2013 legislative proposals. Part six describes three legislative proposals unanimously approved by the Commission for consideration by the General Assembly during the 2014 legislative session. Lastly, part seven serves as a conclusion. Justice (Retired) David M. Borden Chair Justice Borden received his Bachelor of Arts degree, magna cum laude, in 1959 from Amherst College, where he was also a member of Phi Beta Kappa. He received his law degree, cum laude, from Harvard Law School in 1962.