May 5, 2010

MONTVILLE LAWMAKERS WIN LEGISLATIVE APPROVAL
OF RESTRICTIONS FOR SITING OF SEX OFFENDER BEDS
Bill now heads to desk of governor for her signature

The state House of Representatives on Wednesday unanimously approved legislation introduced by the Montville legislative delegation that establishes new restrictions on the siting of sex offender treatment facilities. The state Senate unanimously approved the proposal on Tuesday evening.

State Senators Andrea Stillman (D-Waterford) and Edith Prague (D-Columbia), and State Representatives Tom Reynolds (D-Ledyard), Kevin Ryan, and Betsy Ritter (D-Waterford) introduced the legislation in response to a proposal by the state to establish a 24-bed residential, sex offender treatment facility adjacent to the Corrigan-Radgowski Correctional Center in Uncasville.

In 2008, the legislature and governor enacted a far-reaching criminal justice reform law, which directs the Department of Corrections and the Court Support Services Division of the Judicial Department to establish the facility for sex offenders who have completed their prison terms and are in need of treatment prior to their release into the community.

"Basically, a vender came in with an offer to site these beds at one specific location and no other locations were put into consideration. In fact, the departments don't even have any criteria when it comes to finding a location for the facilities," Ryan said.

"Our legislation compels the departments to consider a number of locations throughout the state and to consider specific criteria on community impacts before a location is finalized," Prague stated.

Stillman remarked, "The state does need this facility to protect the public, but there must be a thoughtful process by which siting decisions are made so that community risks and impacts are limited."

"Our interest is not only protecting Montville, but also making sure that all towns are not subject to arbitrary decisions that are tone deaf to the most basic security interests of neighborhoods, schools and day care facilities," Reynolds offered.