Criminal justice organization spotlights deaths in state DOC custody

Staff reporter and contributing reporter

Maia Nehme, contributing photographer

Abolitionist Frederick Douglass’ famous saying, “Power admits nothing without asking,” served as the backdrop for a criminal justice organization meeting about deaths in the state Department of Correction’s custody.

Barbara Fair — an organizer with Stop Solitary CT, whose goal is to end solitary confinement and improve conditions in prisons — led Friday’s meeting. Fair highlighted the DOC’s lack of accountability and urged community members to join her fight for criminal justice reform.

During the meeting, Fair projected a CT Insider Article about J’Allen Jones, an incarcerated man who died in a Newtown, Connecticut, prison in 2018. After Jones refused to comply with a strip search, several correctional officers sprayed him with pepper spray, beat him and forced him onto a bed for over half an hour, according to a DOC report. The state Office of the Chief Medical Examiner classified Jones’ death as a homicide.

“What will it take to hold the state of Connecticut accountable for the barbaric things they are doing to our people?” Fair asked the meeting participants with tears in her eyes. “It will take every single one of us to fight. And don’t hesitate to fight when it comes to your child. Fight because it’s everyone’s child…We have to stop turning a blind eye to what’s going on.”

The DOC did not immediately respond to the News’ request for comment.

The panel was introduced Inspector General Robert Devlin Jr., Attorney DeVaughn Ward – Connecticut was recently appointed interim ombudsmana role that provides independent oversight of the DOC and state lawmakers Sen. Gary Winfield and Rep. Robyn Porter, both of whom represent New Haven. Fair also invited Pablo Correa, a former correctional officer, to speak at the end of the meeting.

Devlin answered questions from Fair and attendees about his duties as inspector general. Established in 2021, Connecticut’s Office of Inspector General is commissioned to prosecute cases where a police officer used unjustified force or failed to intervene in such an incident.

Devlin said the office focuses on police shootings and deaths in police or DOC custody. The state Department of Health reported 37 in-custody deaths in 2023, according to the agency Annual report.

Ward emphasized that even if the inspector general’s office decides that an in-custody death does not constitute a crime, family members of the victim could file civil lawsuits against the DOC. Before he was appointed interim ombudsman, Ward gave assurances several settlements in litigation with the DOC on behalf of people who received inadequate medical care in prison.

“Just because the inspector general’s office says there was no criminality doesn’t mean there wasn’t negligence or misconduct,” Ward said. “These are very important distinctions.”

Speakers discussed the effectiveness of body cameras worn by correctional officers in deterring violence against prisoners. Ward said that in many of the cases he prosecuted, video evidence often had the greatest impact on settlements.

Devlin mentioned that body cameras are required for police officers and records must be disclosed within 96 hours to receive a request. Attendees asked panelists why body cameras for correctional officers have not yet been similarly implemented. Winfield and Porter responded by describing the political obstacles in the state legislature that block the path to implementing body cameras.

Fair expressed concern that a requirement requiring correctional officers to wear body cameras would ultimately not increase accountability. She pointed out that despite an ongoing lawsuit from Jones’ family, the footage of Jones’ death has not been released, let alone used to hold the correctional officers involved accountable.

“My concern is, even if you carry a camera, who is going to do something about it?” asked Fair.

Correa said purchasing body cameras for correctional officers would be a “waste of taxpayer dollars,” citing the proliferation of stationary cameras in Connecticut prisons and his concern that officers would turn off their body cameras.

The approximately 30 participants often asked personal questions about taking legal action, based on their own experiences with incarceration or the experiences of their family members. Fair repeatedly asked participants to leave their questions until the end of the meeting.

As the interruptions continued, Fair called for a five-minute break in the middle of the meeting. Her family then surprised her with two cakes and a rendition of Stevie Wonder’s “Happy Birthday” to celebrate her 76th birthday. Some participants joined in the song.

Maggie Goodwin, a participant from West Haven, has seen how stressful the prison system is on families during her time as a social worker. She is heavily involved in advocacy and collaborates Clean Slate Connecticut – a program that expunges old and minor offenses from criminal records – as well as other faith-based social justice groups.

Dyanna Hines attended the meeting to learn more about the systemic problems that lead to racial inequality and unfair treatment of individuals before they even enter the prison system.

When Fair asked Correa why he worked in the “toxic” environment of the DOC for 22 years, he emphasized his desire to help incarcerated people. Correa said several incarcerated people he has supervised in the past still come to him for advice.

“If I can make a difference in one inmate’s life and be an inspiration to that one inmate, then I have done my job as a correctional officer,” Correa said. “Our job is not to lock them up [harder].”

Friday’s meeting was in Hamden on Whitney Ave. 1253 took place.