As part of his $40 billion biennial budget proposal, Governor Dannel Malloy wants to move more than 1,500 positions from the judicial branch's court support services to the Departments of Correction and Children and Families.
The proposal is part of the governor's "second chance society" initiative to change the state's drug laws so non-violent offenders have a better chance of re-integrating into society. Reforms include making certain non-violent offenses misdemeanors, and eliminating mandatory minimum sentences for drug possession.
Ben Barnes, secretary of Malloy's budget office, explained the reasoning behind the proposed transfer. "Malloy is proposing that portions of the agency [judicial branch] that impact juvenile justice be combined with the related functions within DCF," he said, "and portions of the Court Supportive Services Division that impact the adult correctional system, be combined with Department of Correction, so there's a more unified approach both on the juvenile and adult side to managing pretrial interventions, alternatives to incarceration, re-entry programs, and other programs in support of the Second Chance Society."
The proposal would leave bail, intake, and victim services within the judicial branch.
Chief Justice Chase T. Rogers released a statement opposing the idea, saying, "There's no evidence to show how this proposal will result in greater efficiencies or better outcomes in the criminal justice system." Rogers also disagrees with the governor that the staff transfers will result in budget savings.
