Recapping 2023 with the CT Sentencing Commission

During the 2023 Legislative Session the Connecticut Sentencing Commission developed and submitted four legislative proposals for consideration by the General Assembly. Located within the Institute for Municipal and Regional Policy (IMRP), the Commission has been conducting criminal justice policy research since 2011. Below are this year’s proposals with their statement’s of purpose. More information to come!


Dr. Vaughn Crichlow
Dr. Vaughn Crichlow

Under Connecticut General Statute Section 54-300(f) the Commission is required to build a “…state-wide sentencing database in collaboration with state and local agencies…” The database is intended to be used for evidence-based criminal justice policy analysis.

School of Public Policy (SPP) Associate Research Professor V​aughn Crichlow and UConn School of Law Professor Sachin Pandya are currently assisting the Commission in developing a state-wide sentencing database. They began collaborating earlier this year in order to inform the Commission’s efforts to analyze sentencing policy and practice. Dr. Crichlow also serves as Director of Research with IMRP.

Professor of Law Sachin S. Pandya
Professor Sachin S. Pandya

In late September they presented their study proposal at a Commission meeting at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford, Connecticut. Their study will use stakeholder interviews in order to identify the technical and socio-legal challenges faced by state sentencing commissions and similar agencies in developing and maintaining criminal sentencing database. The scope of their study is focused within the United States.

During this meeting, Representative Steven Stafstrom (D-Bridgeport), who is the co-chair of the Legislature’s Judiciary Committee, called upon the Commission to reconsider bail reform. Commission Chair Judge Robin Pavia noted that the Commission continues to look at the issue.


In November, the Commission will hold a conversation about “Mental Health and the Criminal Legal System in Connecticut.” Join the Commission and UConn School of Law on Thursday, November 16th from 8:30am – 4:30pm in William F. Starr Hall at UConn Scho. Speakers will discuss mental health and opportunities to improve individual and state outcomes.