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The Governor’s budget also calls for a major expansion of DNA testing for suspects in the most serious felonies, $8 million in bond funding to establish a computer system linking the courts, law enforcement and probation authorities and added funding for urban youth violence prevention. “The reforms I signed into law after the January special session were a giant step in the right direction for the safety and security of Connecticut’s residents – but they were not the end of the process,” Governor Rell said. “I promised that there was more work to do, not only in terms of cracking down on violent criminals and preventing crime whenever possible, but also in providing the services that help former prisoners who truly want to turn their lives around tale the right steps after they are released from prison.” The Governor’s budget calls for nine new probation officers and contains more than $400,000 in funding for a new warrant squad. This unit will increase the number of warrants served for violation of probation by 50 percent. The budget also calls for increasing the number of correction officers by 125 and reconditioning Carl Robinson Correctional Institution to increase total capacity by 342 beds. In addition, Governor Rell’s new criminal justice proposals include a requirement that all registered sex offenders obtain state identification cards – either a driver’s license or DMV-issued state ID card – and include funding to assist prison inmates who are about finish their sentences obtain state identification cards. To assist in the transition from prison life back to civilian life, the Governor proposes funding to help the Department of Social Services determine eligibility for State-Administered General Assistance (SAGA) benefits so former inmates with health needs do not lose their benefits after leaving prison. Governor Rell is also proposing $566,000 in additional funding for the Connecticut Offender Re-entry Program (CORP) in the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, which helps inmates with serious psychiatric disabilities, and $100,000 for a DMHAS pilot program that targets people in Hartford, Bridgeport and New Haven who tend to cycle between prison and homelessness. Separately, Governor Rell is proposing an additional $500,000 in funding for Urban Youth Violence Prevention funding. She is also proposing to add three support positions to the Bureau of Pardons and Paroles to assist in the speedy and complete preparation of files for review. And – building on legislation passed in January to establish a computer system to improve communication between courts, law enforcements and probation and parole agencies – the Governor is proposing to fund five additional positions at the Department of Information Technology and more than $1.5 million in related costs. She is also backing $8 million in bonding to support several criminal justice computer systems, including the new interagency system. The Governor also proposes to significantly modify the timing of DNA swabbing by taking samples from all persons charged in Class A and Class B felonies – the most serious crimes in Connecticut – at or near the time of their arraignment. Class A felonies are those crimes punishable by 10 years or more in prison, while Class B felonies are punishable by five years or more in prison. DNA swabs are currently taken from anyone convicted of a felony, a crime against a minor, a violent or nonviolent sexual offense at the time their sentence is completed. Often, that may mean DNA swabs are not taken until many years later. The Governor also proposes to add several serious Class A misdemeanors to the list of crimes for which DNA swabs are taken when a person completes their sentence. Among the misdemeanors that would be added to the list are criminally negligent homicide, third-degree assault and stalking. © Copyright by NorwalkPlus.com. Some articles and pictures posted on our website, as indicated by their bylines, were submitted as press releases and do not necessarily reflect the position and opinion of NorwalkPlus.com, Norwalk Plus magazine, Canaiden LLC or any of its associated entities. Articles may have been edited for brevity and grammar. Related Articles: Eligibility in Charter Oak tops 2,000; Enrollment tops 1,000 - Sep 26, 2008 - 3:52 PM Toy Police Cars recalled, due to lead hazard - Sep 26, 2008 - 3:21 PM People warned for unofficial web sites when applying for unemployment benefits - Sep 26, 2008 - 1:30 PM State helps leading Healthcare Diagnostics company stay, expand in Brookfield - Sep 25, 2008 - 4:40 PM Gas stations must provide free air for tire inflation, Agency warns - Sep 25, 2008 - 3:35 PM CURRENT HEADLINES: Top of Page
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