State Senator Kevin Kelly Votes Against Bill Favoring Violent Felons

Hartford – State Senator Kevin Kelly (R-21) stood in opposition to a bill that interferes with the safety of the public. House Bill 6650, AN ACT IMPLEMENTING THE PROVISIONS OF THE BUDGET CONCERNING THE JUDICIAL BRANCH, CHILD PROTECTION, CRIMINAL JUSTICE, WEIGH STATIONS AND CERTAIN STATE AGENCY CONSOLIDATIONS, among many things, reduces imprisonment for a host of violent felons.

“It is unbelievable to me that this legislature would even debate a bill that supports early release for felons,” said Senator Kelly. “These people are imprisoned because they wronged against society, and now we are willing to reduce their time on account of their good behavior.

“Further, this bill does zero in the way of victim’s rights or services. This legislature and governor deem it acceptable to advocate for violent criminals, but fail to do a thing for the victims of those exact felons.”

Under this bill, inmates will be able to reduce their sentences up to five days per a month, and felons sentenced to two years in prison could get out of jail in 90 days.

The following is a portion of the crimes which would be included in the bill and subject to early release:

• Manslaughter in the first degree
• Sexual assault in the first degree
• Kidnapping in the first degree
• Human trafficking
• Arson in the first degree
• Employing a minor in an obscene performance
• Importing child pornography
• Contaminating a public water supply or food supply for terrorist purposes
• Injury or risk of injury to, or impairing morals of, children
• Abandonment of child under the age of six years
• Firearms trafficking
• Cruelty to animals

Commenting on the legislation Senator Kelly stated, “This bill is a “get out of jail free card” that will only serve to place the people of Connecticut in harms way. By implementing this law we would be allowing rapists or pedophiles a premature out simply because they went through counseling programs and acted appropriately while in prison, both of which inmates should already be doing.

“I voted against this measure because I stand only in support of legislation that protects and betters our state for the good people and families that make Connecticut their home.”

This bill passed along party lines in the State Senate was sent to the House of Representatives for final debate and vote.

For more information about this bill, please visit www.cga.ct.gov.