Governor Rell Appoints Former Rep. William Dyson

to State Board of Pardons and Paroles

            Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced that she has nominated former veteran state Rep. William Dyson of New Haven to serve as a part-time member of the newly restructured Board of Pardons and Paroles.

            Dyson represented the 94^th Assembly District for 32 years before leaving in 2008. At the time he was the longest serving lawmaker in the House of Representatives. Dyson, the longtime chairman of the Legislature’s budget-writing Appropriations Committee, also served on the Human Services committee and held multiple terms as Assistant Majority Leader. He also was vice chairman of the International Affairs Committee of the National Black Caucus and State Legislators.

            “Bill Dyson’s distinguished career at the Capitol earned him the respect of his colleagues on both sides of the aisle,” Governor Rell said. “His thoughtful attention to detail and his fair and even-handed approach to governing served not only his constituents well but the entire state of Connecticut. His leadership and guidance will be tremendous assets on the Board of Pardons and Paroles.”

            Dyson earned a master’s degree in Urban Studies and a sixth-year degree in Administration and Supervision from Southern Connecticut State University. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in Social Studies from Morris College in Sumter, S.C. He has chaired the Connecticut Commission on National and Community Service and is a member of numerous community non-profit groups, including Drugs Don’t Work!

The state Board was restructured by a new law that was prompted by a several serious crimes in which paroled prisoners were identified as suspects. Under the new law, which took effect July 1, 2008, the Board has a chairman and five full-time, professional members augmented by 12 part-time members. All 18 members must be qualified by education, experience, or training in administering community corrections, parole or pardons; criminal justice; criminology; evaluation or supervision of offenders; or providing mental health services to offenders.

Legislation passed during a special session in January 2008 also established a new felony offense of “home invasion” and significantly restructured the Board of Pardons and Paroles, adding staff and establishing new requirements and procedures for screening inmates for histories of violent crime and their potential to reoffend.

            The bill also granted the Board access to an offender’s records from juvenile court, which had previously been held confidential, and prohibits the Board from acting on a case unless it has all of the relevant records before it. The state is developing an integrated, interagency computer system that will allow prosecutors, law enforcement agencies, parole and probation authorities and others to share information more effectively.

            The nomination is pending legislative approval.