Sen. Martin: “The families of the victims deserve answers. We stand with them.”

For Immediate Release:

Sen. Martin: “The families of the victims deserve answers.  We stand with them.”

Bristol Sen. Henri Martin (at far left) on Mar. 7 joined with Connecticut Senate Republican leaders and families of victims of violent crime in Hartford to express serious concerns over the state Board of Pardons and Paroles’ drastic increase in the commutations of violent felons’ prison sentences.

In 2021, the board granted one commutation. In 2022, it commuted 95 sentences for 71 violent felons.  Among those violent felons were 44 convicted murderers.

In 2021, 18 inmates applied to have their sentences commuted.  In 2022, 431 inmates applied to have their sentences commuted.

“This is outrageous,” Sen. Martin said. “We are calling on Gov. Ned Lamont to immediately halt all commutations until the spike has been explained. We need answers. The families of the victims deserve answers.  We stand with them.”