A dispatcher from Police Troop E, while speaking on a recorded line, took a surprising moment to offer a glimpse into how Obstruction of Justice might look when coming from an official. The dispatcher informed the victim and witness that reporting any misconduct by a state Department of Corrections (D.O.C.) employee is not going to be done because, "No crime occured." -this, before hearing a single detail.
This grotesque, apparently criminal behavior underscores the urgent need for the Public oversight of Troop E.
Troop E in fact demonstrated its refusal to accept any information, additional information or strong evidence about the incident from the victim, via phone. The recorded conversation, publicly available here as an audio file, provides compelling evidence of misconduct. If applied according to Connecticut state law, this evidence could be sufficient to charge and convict the officer for Obstruction of Justice.
Nevertheless, the authority that can officially determine whether the caller's original complaint about a D.O.C. employee should result in criminal charges is vested in attorneys operating under the local court system, not the state police.
Troop E's troubling response to the victim—that a crime could not have been committed if the accused is a corrections officer—implies a problematic belief that Corrections Officers are above the law in the state of Connecticut. This stance challenges Troop E's understanding or willingness to fulfill their role as law enforcement officers paid by taxpayer funds. The dispatcher preemptively dismissed the allegation as non-criminal, thereby overstepping the boundaries of their role and assuming the functions of a prosecutor, judge, and jury.
If a police officer has the authority to unilaterally decide guilt or innocence when determining whether to file a police report, they are essentially usurping the roles of both the court and the jury.
The officer from Troop E seemed unafraid of facing any criminal charges for his actions. This incident suggests the possibility of an unofficial, yet unlawful, policy within the Connecticut State Police, specifically Troop E. None of the personnel wearing officer attire from Troop E objected to their colleague's inappropriate conduct.
The dispatcher's final tone as he concluded the call highlights the implied agreement that police can act as a substitute for a local court and trial, thereby undermining the roles of the court, judge, and jury.
This incident has been confirmed on audio records by both parties involved.
Get The Background: Fax #3 to Corrigan's Warden, Mr Martin
-> READ IT <-
The behaviors exhibited by the CT prison's D.O.C. guards at the Corrigan Correctional Facility towards a disabled inmate, Jonathan Brand 04/18/1978 are simple to confirm on the Intake block's June, 2023 security recordings. His sworn statements and notarized affidavit are summarized as follows:
- The prison guards forced the disabled inmate, suffering from bilateral Avascular Necrosis, out of his wheelchair. This action disregarded the inmate's medical condition, which would cause severe pain and difficulty when attempting to stand or walk.
- The guards threatened to inflict more pain off camera if the inmate refused to do something he said he was unable to do without experiencing severe pain. Specifically, Connecticut D.O.C. Corrections Officers insisted Brand touch his feet, an act that medical professionals have stated is off limits given his medical condition.
- The guards were observed mocking the inmate's cries of pain as he was forced to put on prison-issued socks and shoes without the assistance of his state-funded personal assistant. This task was particularly challenging and painful due to his illness.
- Following the inmate's release, the guards refused to return his wheelchair, even going so far as to deny having it in their possession.
- UPDATE: 06/27/2023 Corrigan returned the wheelchair after having it three weeks. Thanks Warden Martin.
Pause please! We need your feedback:
To Corrigan Warden Robert Martin
Subject: Urgent Request for the Immediate Return of My Wheelchair
Dear Warden Martin,
I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to you today regarding a matter that is of great personal significance to me and is impacting my daily life considerably.
Your security records, along with the account from Troop E, confirm that my wheelchair was last in the possession of your staff. Unfortunately, despite my repeated attempts to resolve this issue, I've encountered a series of obstacles. It feels as if my calls for assistance have fallen on deaf ears.
I am sure you can understand the distress and hardship this situation has caused. A wheelchair is not merely a device; it is a means of freedom for those of us who rely on it. It provides us the liberty to move, to interact, and to live our lives with a measure of autonomy. Without it, I find myself in a state of enforced immobility, reliant on others for the simplest of tasks.
Therefore, I am reaching out to you directly, Warden Martin, in the hope that you can expedite this matter. I kindly request that you personally verify these records and ensure that my wheelchair is located and returned to me promptly. The swift resolution of this issue would not only alleviate my current hardship but also restore my faith in Corrigan’s commitment to responsibility.
Do these behaviors indicate a lack of empathy and understanding social norms? And what to make of an apparent protection from State law to violate inmates' rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act?
Furthermore, such actions contribute to an environment of stress and fear at Corrigan CF, which is detrimental to the overall functioning and safety of the correctional facility.
Once my wheelchair is located, I would greatly appreciate a phone call. I sincerely hope that this plea reaches your understanding and prompts immediate action.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to your prompt response and the return of my wheelchair.
Yours sincerely, Jonathan Brand
c. 860-501-6070 | DOB 04/18/1978
Faxed on 6/25/2023 at 3:02 pm to Corrigan at (860) 848-5821
6/26/2023 No Response From Warden - Sent 3rd Fax
JULY 5 LETTER TO CRIMINAL COURT JUDGE
To: The Honorable Judge at GA10 Court New London, CT 06320
Subject: Request for Intervention Concerning the Unlawful Seizure of Personal Property
Dear Judge,
I hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. I am writing on behalf of Mr. Jonathan E. Brand, an inmate at the Corrigan Correctional Facility, who is currently facing a predicament involving the illegal seizure of his personal property by the D.O.C. staff at the said facility.
Mr. Brand, a disabled journalist, has been stripped of his most essential possession—a wheelchair—that was rightfully his. It is our understanding that the wheelchair was initially transferred to the Prison Intake staff by Troop E State Police, as evidenced by prison security camera footage. However, it would appear that the wheelchair subsequently vanished while under the custody of the D.O.C. staff.
We hereby request your honorable intervention in this matter. Specifically, we ask that you compel the D.O.C. staff at Corrigan Correctional Facility to return Mr. Brand's wheelchair immediately. We also ask that you consider requesting the security camera video, which we believe will provide clear evidence of the wheelchair's transfer and subsequent disappearance.
The return of Mr. Brand's wheelchair is not just a matter of personal property; it symbolizes much more. It represents how closely local principles of justice align with the observed respect for disabled individuals. Resolving this issue may significantly contribute to maintaining public trust in our justice system, reinforcing the notion that every individual—regardless of their circumstances—is treated fairly and with dignity.
Moreover, resolution of this claim will send a strong message that theft or misappropriation of property by state workers, particularly from those in vulnerable situations such as Mr. Brand, will not be tolerated. Such a stance is pivotal in ensuring the integrity of our local institutions and in affirming our collective commitment to justice and fairness.
We trust in your judgment and ability to rectify this situation. Your intervention will not only remedy an individual injustice but will also uphold the principles that define our justice system.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. We await your favorable action.
Sincerely,
Public Defender, O’Regan
GA10 Part B Court: -> SEE 174 Added Petition Signatures
MAILING LIST FOR JULY 5, 2023
- National Institute of Justice (NIJ) The NIJ is the research, development, and evaluation agency of the U.S. Department of Justice. It is dedicated to researching crime control and justice issues. NIJ provides objective, independent, evidence-based knowledge and tools to meet the challenges of crime and justice, particularly at the state and local levels.
Mailing Address:
NIJ
810 7th St. NW,
Washington, D.C. 20531 - Office for Civil Rights, Department of Justice The Office for Civil Rights ensures that recipients of financial assistance from the Justice Department are complying with federal laws that prohibit discrimination. If the Corrigan-Radgowski Correctional Center is receiving federal funds, the Office for Civil Rights would have jurisdiction over any complaints. Mailing Address:
Online Address:
Submit detailed information to the Office’s official website - Connecticut Department of Correction As the state agency responsible for the administration of the state's prisons, including the Corrigan-Radgowski Correctional Center, the Connecticut Department of Correction would have a direct interest in any abuses taking place within its facilities. Mailing Address:
Mailing Address:
Connecticut Department of Correction
24 Wolcott Hill Road,
Wethersfield, CT 06109 - American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Connecticut The ACLU is a non-profit organization that works to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution and laws of the United States. They often get involved in cases of prison abuse.
Mailing Address:
ACLU - CT
765 Asylum Ave,
Hartford, CT 06105 - Local representatives in the U.S. Congress Elected officials have a duty to represent their constituents' interests, including ensuring that state facilities such as prisons are being operated legally and ethically. Contacting your representative or senator could result in an official inquiry into the matter. Mailing Address: The addresses of your specific representatives and senators.
Mailing Addresses:
Senator Richard Blumenthal:
90 State House Square, 10th Floor,
Hartford, CT 06103 - Senator Chris Murphy:
120 Huyshope Avenue,
Colt Gateway, Suite 401,
Hartford, CT 06106 - Congressman John Larson:
Email East Hartford Office Address - Congressman Jim Himes:
Email Washington, DC Address
In Related News on CT D.O.C.
In the News by Jonathan Brand
Advocates Rally for the Reappointment of Former Pardons and Paroles Chair
By Hugh McQuaid, CT News Junkie, May 17, 2023
On Wednesday, advocates for criminal justice reform rallied for the reinstatement of Carlton Giles as chair of the Board of Pardons and Paroles and decried his dismissal last month by the governor in response to controversy over a sentence modification program. Giles, a former police officer who served as chair of the Board of Pardons and Paroles for nearly a decade, sat for an hour in the Legislative Office Building as advocates and formerly incarcerated individuals extolled his work as an administrator of early release programs for those transitioning from prison sentences back into society.
Barbara Fair, criminal justice activist, mom
By Madeline Papcun, CT Mirror, June 14, 2023
Barbara Fair has been a social justice activist in Connecticut for more than 50 years, working primarily in criminal justice. Sitting in Zoi’s on Grove Street in New Haven, wearing a bright yellow T-shirt and earrings reading “RESPECT,” she reflects. “My work is really focused on people in New Haven, but I can’t live there,” Fair said, glancing out the window. “The despair is hard to see. It’s disheartening.”… Despite her frustrations, Fair pushes forward. “Walking away is what they want us to do,” she says, leaning back in her seat. “They want to wear us down, so I’m trying my best to not do that.”
House advances bill that requires study, not limits of strip searches
Bail Bond Process for Corrigan
Navigating the Bail Process at Corrigan-Radgowski Correctional Center The Corrigan-Radgowski Correctional Center, a dual-structure complex, poses unique challenges. The Radgowski building, a sanctuary for those serving their sentences, falls outside the purview of services. The bail process at Corrigan is not known for its speed, often taking an estimated 1-2 hours from initiation to culmination. We understand the emotional toll of waiting, but rest assured, this is how you keep your loved ones from suffering, and it about handing away cash to yet another person in a self-styled uniform with friends inside local government. The journey begins with you felling hurt because instead of being there for you, some let's say, uses brute force to take your loved one to a small cage inside a large cage. Welcome to leadership under Warden Robert Martin. You'll soon be signing documents for Townie Bail Bonds, followed by a Townie Bail Bonds agent signing documents for the Correctional Center. The final step involves your loved one being released to a New London Townie Bail Bonds agent to sign the necessary paperwork. Upon completion, you are free to leave.
Corrigan-Radgowski Correctional Center 986 Norwich-New London Turnpike Uncasville, CT 06382 (860) 848-5700
In May 2001, the Corrigan Correctional Institution and the Radgowski Correctional Institution merged to form the Corrigan-Radgowski Correctional Center. This institution serves as a confinement facility for both pretrial and sentenced offenders. It is a key player in the superior courts of Danielson, New London, Norwich, and Windham.
The Corrigan Correctional Institution, inaugurated on December 30, 1994, operates as a level 4 high-security facility for male offenders. The Radgowski Correctional Institution, which opened its doors on January 10, 1991, functions as a level 3 medium-security facility for male offenders.
House lawmakers on Tuesday passed a watered-down version of a bill that initially sought to end routine strip searches in Connecticut’s prisons and jails, sending the revised legislation to Gov. Ned Lamont’s desk for his signature. Senate Bill 1196 passed the House on a 125-18 vote, with eight people absent, after unanimous approval among the Senate’s 36 legislators earlier this month.
Some CT inmates charges $249 a day. Soon that charge will increase.
By Jordan Nathaniel Fenster, CT Insider, May 28, 2023
The per-day cost Connecticut charges inmates for being incarcerated, which some say is already the highest in the United States, is likely to go up. Inmates in Connecticut are charged $249 a day, but a state Department of Correction spokesperson confirmed by email that a $74 increase to $323 a day is “nearly finalized.”…“Hearing that the daily rate for incarceration in Connecticut is going into $323 a day is just totally crazy,” said Barbara Fair, the lead organizer for Stop Solitary Connecticut, an organization that aims to end the use of solitary confinement in the state. “What are they charging for? You can go to a luxurious hotel for less than that a day with all the amenities.”
CT prison placed on lockdown for three days. Advocates want answers.
By Jordan Nathaniel Fenster, Register Citizen, May 24, 2023
Inmates at New Haven Correctional Center recently spent three days in a facility-wide lockdown. Prison reform advocates say that flies against the spirit, if not the letter of a 2022 law. “New Haven Correctional Center was placed on lockdown on Friday, May 19,” said state Department of Correction spokesperson Ashley McCarthey said Monday. “We are unable to share details due to it being an active investigation.” McCarthy confirmed that the lockdown ended Monday. She did not say what type of investigation caused the lockdown, or how often such lockdowns occur. Barbara Fair, lead organizer with prison reform advocates Stop Solitary Connecticut, said an investigation was a way around the 2022 PROTECT Act, which limited the amount of time prisoners may be kept in isolation.
A month later, defense for Carleton Giles and his 71 commutations
By Mark Pazniokas, CT Mirror, May 18, 2023
Controversy swirled last month around Carleton J. Giles, the pastor and former police officer removed by Gov. Ned Lamont as chair of the Board of Pardons and Paroles after a backlash to the dramatic increase in the commutation of prison sentences. On Wednesday, Giles greeted a procession of men and women at the Legislative Office Building who praised his service and called him a victim of political cowardice and fear-mongering… Wednesday’s event was organized by Barbara Fair of New Haven, a longtime advocate of prison reform, and Rep. Robyn Porter, D-New Haven, a member of the legislature’s Black and Puerto Rican Caucus. It offered elements of a testimonial, a religious revival and political rally, replete with stories of failure and redemption, gratitude and bitterness, and a call to action.
Advocates Call for the Reinstatement of Former Pardons and Paroles Chair
By Lisa Backus, CT Insider, May 30, 2022
There was a moment this spring when Barbara Fair wanted to stand firm in making sure that any prison reform legislation she backed would include banning strip searches, which she called “humiliating.” Months later after crafting a deal with state Department of Correction Commissioner Angel Quiros and other stakeholders, Fair agreed to drop the ban in favor of something larger. Her efforts helped lead to Gov. Ned Lamont signing a law this month that requires the DOC to limit solitary confinement and allow inmates at least four-and-a-half hours of out-of-cell time every day beginning July 1. The law also requires the agency to hire an ombudsman to investigate complaints and creates an independent oversight board.
Connecticut will begin to limit the use of solitary confinement in prisons
By Molly Ingram, WSHU, May 11, 2022
Governor Ned Lamont signed a bill on Tuesday that will limit the use of solitary confinement in Connecticut prisons. The bill prohibits prisoners from being kept in solitary confinement for more than 15 consecutive days, or more than 30 days total in a 60-day period. Barbara Fair is the founder of Stop Solitary CT, and began advocating for the bill after her then-teenage son was allegedly tortured with isolation while in prison. “First we have to treat people better,” Fair said. “We say these are correctional institutions, but all we are doing is causing more harm. People are coming back to our community broken spiritually — mentally their minds are shattered.”
Inmates at New Haven Correctional Center recently endured a three-day institution-wide lockdown. Advocates for prison reform argue this contravenes the spirit, if not the letter, of a 2022 law. “New Haven Correctional Center was subjected to lockdown on Friday, May 19,” state Department of Correction spokesperson Ashley McCarthey confirmed on Monday. “We are unable to divulge details due to an ongoing investigation.” McCarthy confirmed that the lockdown concluded on Monday. She did not disclose the nature of the investigation that triggered the lockdown, or the frequency of such lockdowns. Barbara Fair, lead organizer with prison reform advocates Stop Solitary Connecticut, suggested an investigation was a loophole around the 2022 PROTECT Act, which curtailed the duration prisoners may be held in isolation.
A Month On: Carleton Giles and His 71 Commutations Defended
By Mark Pazniokas, CT Mirror, May 18, 2023
Last month, Carleton J. Giles, the pastor and former police officer, was ousted by Gov. Ned Lamont as chair of the Board of Pard[Error]: Insufficient prompt. Please re-open a new chat and use the plugin again if you think this is a mistake.
Connecticut Lawmakers Scale Back Efforts to End Routine Strip Searches in Prisons
By Jaden Edison, CT Mirror, March 31, 2023
A campaign to terminate routine strip searches in Connecticut’s correctional facilities is unlikely to bear fruit this year as lawmakers have instead chosen to gather information on what it would take to implement body scanning technology in the jails and prisons. The legislature’s Judiciary Committee unanimously voted Thursday to advance a revised version of Senate Bill 1196 to the House and Senate for consideration, as opposed to the initial proposal which would have raised the standard for correctional officers to perform strip searches on incarcerated people from reasonable suspicion to probable cause.
Could Connecticut Terminate Routine Strip Searches in Prisons? The Debate Intensifies
By Jaden Edison, CT Mirror, March 16, 2023
In a letter to legislators about strip searching in Connecticut prisons and jails, an incarcerated woman at York Correctional Institution described the experience of standing barefoot on a grimy tiled floor as a correctional officer scrutinizes her body from head to toe… “Strip searches are among the most degrading and invasive practices permitted in prison facilities,” West stated in the written remarks read aloud on her behalf. “To quote a supervisor, sometimes it’s done just to ‘remind them that they’re inmates.’”
Connecticut Policymakers Visit Norwegian Prisons to Learn Best Practices
By Walter Smith Randolph, Connecticut Public Radio, March 14, 2023
Over the past decade, Connecticut has managed to slash its prison population by nearly half and criminal justice advocates believe that number can be further reduced if corrections are viewed as rehabilitation. That’s why a group of Connecticut policymakers and thought leaders toured prisons in Norway to learn best practices. Our Accountability Project accompanied the group to observe what they learned.
New DOC Oversight Panel Appointments Alarm Advocates
By Jaden Edison, CT Mirror, February 5, 2023
Republican lawmakers have appointed two individuals with connections to Connecticut’s Department of Correction to a committee established to oversee the agency — a decision that has ignited concerns among community organizers about the legitimacy and security of the panel. Holding the power to select one of the 11 Correction Advisory Committee appointees, Sen. John Kissel, R-Enfield, selected John Bowen, a recently retired correctional officer who serves on the board of a local union and has interacted with a social media account that pays tribute to the Confederacy.
Protestors Rally for Reforms at Correctional Institutions
Prison Reform, Veteran Advocate for Inmates Declares 'This is Just the Beginning'
By Lisa Backus, CT Insider, May 30, 2022