Sen. Kelly Questions Parole Board’s Commutations of More Murderers’ Prison Sentences

For Immediate Release

Sen. Kelly Questions CT Parole Board’s Commutations of More Murderers’ Prison Sentences

Senate Republican Leader Kevin Kelly today again questioned the state Board of Pardons and Paroles’ commutation of prison sentences for convicted murderers.

At its March 15 meeting, the board shaved decades off the sentences of individuals who have been convicted of murder, felony murder and assault on a police officer, among other violent crimes.

“Absolutely nothing has changed,” Sen. Kelly said. “A week after Republicans stood side by side with the families of murder victims to reveal the drastic spike in the commutations – including commutations for 44 murderers in the past year alone  – this unelected board continues to shave decades off of prison sentences? Last week, in response to our revelations, the governor encouraged the board ‘to undertake a collaborative and comprehensive review of the commutation policy’. So, what happened? Obviously nothing, because the Board met and continued its practice of shortening sentences for convicted murderers.”

At a March 7 press conference, Kelly joined with Sen. Heather Somers, Sen. John A. Kissel and murder victims’ families to highlight how between 2016 and 2021, the board granted a total of six commutations that reduced sentences for convicted felons. In 2022, it granted 71. Among those were the sentences of 44 convicted murderers who had time shaved off their remaining sentences by the board, an unelected autonomous state agency that operates without legislative oversight.

“It’s unacceptable,” Sen. Kelly said.

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