Senator Dan Debicella (R-21) joined Republican legislative leaders in calling to reform Connecticut’s laws regarding persistent offenders, its three-strikes policy, and the parole process in a special session this fall.

“In the wake of the vicious murders of the Petit family in Cheshire this summer, we need to take action to ensure the safety of our families,” said Senator Debicella.  The two men accused of the murders were parolees who had been arrested for non-violent crimes several times in the past few years.

“We need to strengthen penalties for persistent offenders to remove dangerous criminals from the streets,” said Senator Debicella.  “Republican legislative leaders have offered a comprehensive package of reforms that we can act on now, and I completely agree with them that we can, and should, call a special session no later than October 23rd,”

Led by State Senator John McKinney (R-Fairfield) and State Representative Larry Cafero (R-Norwalk), the Republican caucus introduced a set of proposals meant to keep repeat offenders off the streets.  Senator Debicella said he is in full support of the Republican proposals including:

1. Enacting a strong three-strikes law that eliminates judicial discretion and requires life imprisonment for a third serious felony conviction
2. Reclassifying burglary of a residence – home invasion – as a violent crime
3. Strengthening the persistent offender law by following the state Supreme Court’s recommendations to grant juries the power to determine enhanced sentences on criminals they deem to be serious persistent offenders
4. Making several changes to the state’s parole process, and requiring serious criminals to wear GPS tracking devices as a condition of their release.

“There is no magical solution for preventing all serious and violent crimes—but Connecticut can do a better job creating laws to deter and punish repeat offenders.  The men charged with this summer’s home invasion and murders in Cheshire, who were out on parole at the time, have extensive criminal records that did not include violent crime,” said Senator Debicella.  “Our proposals will make it harder for repeat offenders to threaten our families.”

“Connecticut residents have every right to expect their legislators to do everything in their power to make sure that our laws reflect the very best we can do to protect them from crime, and appropriately punish criminals. The tragedy in Cheshire made it very clear that the laws, policies and procedures that we have in place right now fall short of our best. We have an obligation to correct that, and we should do it now,” said Senator Debicella.

Change the Laws ~ Change the System

Republican Legislative Leaders introduced the following proposals to strengthen Connecticut’s laws and parole processes pertaining to dangerous career criminals. 

The legislative leaders are calling for a special session to vote on their proposals.

CHANGE THE LAWS

1. Enact a Strong Three Strikes Law that eliminates judicial discretion and requires life imprisonment for a third serious felony conviction, keeping career criminals in jail and out of our neighborhoods.

2. Reclassify Burglary of a Residence (Home Invasion) as a Violent Crime
1. Force dangerous felons who commit this crime to serve 85% of their jail sentences before applying for parole (under current law, the majority of these criminals are released after serving only half of their sentences).
2. Impose a mandatory minimum 5-year prison sentence on criminals convicted of burglary in the first or second degree.

3. Strengthen Connecticut’s Persistent Offender Law by following the state Supreme Court’s recommendation to grant juries the power to determine enhanced sentences on criminals they deem to be dangerous persistent offenders.

CHANGE THE SYSTEM

1. Reform the State’s Parole Process
1. Transfer the Board of Parole from the Dept. of Corrections to the Dept. of Public Safety
2. Increase membership on the Board of Parole
3. Require transcripts and other information pertaining to a candidate for parole be provided to Board of Parole members at least three business days prior to the candidate’s hearing
4. Require released offenders to report to their local police station to be photographed and documented within one week of their release
5. Require more information on the court record at the time of sentencing

2. Require Serious Criminals to Wear GPS Tracking Devices on their person at all times as a condition of their release.

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