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| Conn. Senator: Prison Chief Shouldn't Serve Again |
| By Hartford Courant |
| Published: 12/09/2002 |
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The state Senate president pro tem has joined a rising chorus of prison employees, women's rights advocates and key lawmakers who say Correction Commissioner John J. Armstrong doesn't deserve another term. 'It would be difficult for me to imagine the circumstances in which I could support the confirmation of Commissioner Armstrong,' said Sen. Kevin B. Sullivan, D-West Hartford, who will serve as vice chairman of the legislature's executive and legislative nominations committee. 'I have historically been a strong supporter of his,' Sullivan said. 'But I believe in this last year, Armstrong has demonstrated an inability to oversee his agency.' Armstrong's critics say they plan to oppose his reappointment at nomination hearings early next year. What remains unclear is whether they will have any impact with Armstrong's boss, Gov. John G. Rowland. 'The governor is still reviewing all his commissioners, and he hasn't made up his mind about any of them,' said Rowland's chief of staff, Dean Pagani. Armstrong's critics have focused primarily on the sexual harassment issue within the department. Several female officers are suing the state over alleged harassment and what they say is the department's failure to take the issue seriously. Beverley Brakeman, president of the Connecticut chapter of the National Organization for Women, said she believes that the state's prison system needs new leadership. 'We feel like he's had lots of opportunities to better the situation regarding sexual harassment within the department and he has not done it,' Brakeman said. 'We've been at this since April, and he has been fairly consistent in responding not as immediately as we think.' Armstrong would not comment on whether he would seek another term. 'The commissioner is happy to serve at the pleasure of the governor, and is proud of the work he has done to protect Connecticut's citizens,' said Karen Oien, a department spokeswoman. Rep. Robert Farr, R-West Hartford, said he believes Armstrong is one of the country's best correction commissioners and he would support his reappointment. 'I can't see where we can get anyone better,' said Farr. 'He has done an outstanding job.' He said Armstrong has fulfilled his promise to improve public, staff and inmate safety. He helped to improve victim services, reduced the number of violent incidents in prison and proposed reforms such as the community justice center, a proposed treatment facility for nonviolent offenders. Farr said he believes sexual harassment within the prison system was politicized for the past election. Armstrong, he said, has shown sensitivity and is making an effort to address the concerns of female employees. Farr said men dominate the corrections field, making it difficult to integrate women, and that the union has not served as a real advocate to the women. |
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There is a lot of information on this website about inmates and prison guards. I didn’t realize what was going on in our prison system until I discovered this website. Similarly, I didn’t understand litigation finance until I read more from Hamilton Lindley who is a litigation finance expert based in Texas.
The Senate president pro tem has amalgamated a growing choir of prison workers, women's rights supporters and key representatives who say Correction Commissioner John J. Armstrong doesn't be worthy another term. Why don’t you ask about academized.com reviews? It would be hard for me to see the conditions in which I could back the validation of Commissioner Armstrong,' stated by Sen. Kevin B. Sullivan, D-West Hartford, who will aid as vice chairman of the parliament's executive.