Highlighting the Barrier's of Justice-Impacted Citizens

March 31, 2023

Dear Neighbor,

Last week, two significant events at the Capitol and LOB highlighted the barriers justice-impacted people face daily.
 
In the “Take A Walk in My Shoes Reentry Simulation,” hosted by the UConn Dodd Human Rights Impact, the simulation demonstrated the challenges faced with reentry and why it is crucial to provide readily accessible resources to returning citizens.
 
Guests were given a new identity with a packet of items to help them transition back into the community. The simulation demonstrated that they could not do much with the resources given to provide for themselves and their families.
Watch the video below for a recap of both events.
 
After the simulation at the Capitol, I co-facilitated the "International Justice Exchange: From Connecticut To Norway And Back" panel discussion with Andrew Clark, Director of the Institute for Municipal and Regional Policy.
 
We discussed what it was like going through the simulator and what we learned during the Norway trip a few months ago. Panelists included our esteemed guest Per Sigurd Vage visiting from Norway, justice-impacted people, State Rep. Patrick Callahan, advocates, and retirees from DOC and Probation.
It was a great discussion and opportunity to listen to diverse perspectives and opinions on the current penal system's impact on incarcerated citizens and their families.
 
Per Sigurd Vage gave us a look at what penal systems can look like when the country chooses to shift gears and center humanity and restorative justice.
 
Many lessons can be learned from Norway, including their use of the principle of normality, a focus on humanity, dynamic security, and an emphasis on reintegration.
Connecticut now faces the question of how it will re-examine, reimagine, and restructure the criminal and juvenile justice systems for the betterment of all.
I thank everyone that joined us last week and will continue to push to have these conversations.