By Ken Dixon
Connecticut Post
BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — Continuing his Second Chance Society initiatives, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy this morning opened a veterans’ unit in a state Department of Correction unit this morning in Enfield. Malloy joined state officials, advocates and DOC Commissioner Scott Semple in a ceremony at theCybulski Reintegration Center. The new veterans’ unit there is set up for inmates who have served in the United States military to prepare for re-entry into the community.
The new unit will house 110 veteran inmates, offering programs aimed at reducing recidivism and saving taxpayer dollars while reducing crime, including life skills training, substance abuse treatment, peer support, mental health treatment and employment readiness.
“We need to change our approach in the criminal justice system — and by tailoring services within our prison walls, we can lower crime outside of them,” Malloy said in a statement. “We are indeed taking a smarter, more pragmatic approach. Too many of our veterans end up mixed into the criminal justice system following their return to civilian life. While incredibly heartbreaking, it is critical that we provide the support services to address the unique needs of our veterans. Our Second Chance Society initiatives are game changers so that we can prevent recidivism and eliminate a long-term cycle of crime and poverty. Tailoring our approach — instead of using a one-size-fits-all formula — gets to the core of systemic issues. This initiative is a major one.”
The unit is a collaboration among the Connecticut Department of Correction, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (USVA), the Connecticut Department of Labor, Connecticut Vet Centers, and other community-based veteran organizations.
“There is real synergy surrounding the criminal justice reform efforts across the state and across our nation. The Veterans’ Unit is yet another example of how the Department of Correction can be part of the solution,” Commissioner Semple said. “Re-entry is complicated and requires that we all play an active role to reduce recidivism.” In the 16,019-inmate population of the state’s correctional system, about 700 are veterans, Semple said, adding that the housing unit is available to veterans of any service branch, including Reserves and National Guard. Eligible inmates are not required to serve in combat or be deployed. The Cybulski Reintegration Center is located within the Willard-Cybulski Correctional Institution.