Governor Rell: 10 Statewide Law Enforcement

Projects Slated for Stimulus Funding

Funding Supports Policies and Priorities

Identified in 2008 Criminal Justice Reform Bill

            Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced that she is proposing criminal justice stimulus funding be directed to 10 statewide projects ranging from an automated fingerprint information system to increased DNA sampling and testing.

            Connecticut is receiving a total of $12 million in funding from the Justice Assistance Grants (JAG) program. About $4.3 million is going directly to the state’s municipalities. The Governor’s plan directs more than $6.7 million to the policies and priorities identified in Public Act 08-01, An Act Concerning Criminal Justice Reform – the law passed during the January 2008 special session that significantly strengthened the state’s criminal justice and parole systems.

            “The projects we have in mind will sustain and improve the network of personnel and resources that help ‘serve and protect,’” the Governor said. “By increasing both the number of DNA samples taken and the rate at which we process them we can enhance one of the most critical items in our scientific crime-fighting tool kit. We will also be able to boost statewide and regional anti-drug efforts and the way we handle probation and parole cases.”

            The funding would be allocated to these programs:

• Expand the CASE NOTES System (estimated $600,000): This funding would improve the electronic information system used to share information on offenders between the Board of Pardons and Paroles and the Department of Correction.
• Automated Fingerprint Information System (estimated $1.5 million): This funding would be used to improve information sharing systems to enable a wider range of data about an offender’s history to be available.
• Statewide and Regional Drug Task Forces (estimated $1 million): This funding would be used to pay overtime costs, support local police department expenses and improve coordination between local and state agencies.
• Increase DNA Sampling at DOC ($600,000): This funding would be used to hire temporary staff to collect DNA samples from current inmates subject to the state’s DNA sample law.
• Eliminate DNA Backlog ($600,000): This funding would be used to hire three temporary staffers at the Department of Public Safety forensics lab to speed the processing of DNA samples and entry into the state DNA database.
• State Police Vehicle Safety (estimated $600,000): This funding would be used to add high-visibility chevrons or other markings on state police vehicles to increase their visibility and reduce the possibility of accidents.
• Expanding Staff at Domestic Violence Shelters ($600,000): This funding would add the equivalent of four full-time staffers at three to four sites so that shelters are staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Additional funds are also proposed through a separate stimulus fund, the Violence Against Women Act grant.
• SANE/SAFE Sexual Assault Exams ($720,000): This funding would support medical personnel in the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) and Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner (SAFE) programs. These personnel are trained to help assault victims with the psychological trauma of the attack and to collect the evidence needed by law enforcement. Additional funds are also proposed through a separate stimulus fund, the Violence Against Women Act grant.
• Assessment and Evaluation Services for DOC (estimated $300,000): This funding would be used to identify the offender re-entry and other community-based supervision programs that are doing the most to reduce recidivism and protect public safety and make them work even better.
• Translation of Brochures, Manuals and Other Information ($200,000): This funding would be used to translate documents and guidance on issues such as navigating the court system, finding victim services, obtaining court orders and seeking addiction services into multiple foreign languages.