CVS Health Foundation awards $1 Million in Hometown Fund grants to boost local impact in Hartford
CVS Health; Sep. 10, 2025
Grants will support local nonprofits improving health outcomes across the Greater Hartford area
HARTFORD, CT, September 10, 2025 — CVS Health® (NYSE: CVS) Foundation announced today that it is awarding $1 million in general operating grants through its Hometown Fund to 20 organizations surrounding the Hartford area. These organizations are committed to making health care more accessible and focusing on services that contribute to a healthier community, such as nutritious food, supportive housing and educational resources.
“We created the Hometown Fund to support organizations dedicated to improving health outcomes in the communities around our corporate offices in Hartford and Woonsocket,” said Sheryl Burke, President of the CVS Health Foundation. “By supporting local nonprofits, we hope to positively impact and strengthen the communities where we live and work.”
Malta House of Care, Inc., in the Hartford area, is one of the beneficiaries of this year’s Hometown Fund. The grant will enable the organization to offer free behavioral health care, community support and education to those in need.
“Malta House of Care is grateful for this outstanding support from the CVS Health Foundation,” said Dianne Auger, CEO of Malta House of Care. “Too many Hartford residents must choose between healthcare and basic needs, and many uninsured adults delay medical care because they struggle to afford food, housing and childcare. This funding will support Malta’s mission of providing free primary care services to uninsured adults in Greater Hartford and improving their health outcomes. Ensuring that access to healthcare is available for those who need it creates healthy, strong communities. We are proud to be a partner in this effort with the CVS Health Foundation.”
Since 2022, the CVS Health Foundation has invested $8 million in grants to numerous Greater Hartford and Rhode Island organizations. Alongside Malta House of Care, Inc., additional recipients of the Hometown Fund include Camp Courant, Chrysalis Center, Compass Youth Collaborative, the Connecticut Puerto Rican Forum (operating as Center for Latino Progress), Enfield Loaves & Fishes, Forge City Works, Friendship Service Center, Hands On Hartford, Hartford Gay and Lesbian Health (dba The Health Collective), ImmaCare, Journey Home, Keney Park Sustainability Project, KNOX, Mercy Housing and Shelter Corporation, North Hartford Partnership, Prudence Crandall Center, South Park Inn, St Vincent DePaul Place Middletown, and the YWCA Hartford Region.
With Aetna calling Hartford home for 172 years, CVS Health is announcing this year’s Hometown Fund grantees as part of its continued commitment to community support in Connecticut. Earlier this year, the CVS Health Foundation invested $2 million to create a Hartford Health Zone and support the Hispanic Health Council’s Family Wellness Center and its agency partners, all located in Hartford, Connecticut. This funding aims to improve access to health care and social services for the Greater Hartford community. CVS Health also offers free health screenings to individuals nationwide through its Project Health initiative. Last year, CVS Health hosted 23 Project Health events in Hartford and screened more than 450 participants, which resulted in over 1,500 screenings. Additionally, the company has invested $16 million in affordable housing, emphasizing that a stable living environment is vital for health. CVS Health is also committed to supporting Hartford Promise and The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving’s Greater Futures Scholarship, helping Hartford students’ graduate debt-free.
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About The CVS Health Foundation
The CVS Health Foundation has a proud history of supporting local communities across various regions throughout the United States. The Foundation is dedicated to uniting communities to address health challenges in collaboration with a wide range of nonprofit grantees. The Foundation collaborates on programs that enhance health outcomes, with focus areas including mental well-being, healthy aging, maternal health, health impacts from extreme weather and chronic conditions like cardiovascular disease and diabetes. It also helps lay the groundwork for a healthier future by assisting organizations that address food security and promote educational opportunities. Additionally, the CVS Health Foundation supports CVS Health colleagues by backing the causes that are most meaningful to them through its Matching Gifts, Volunteer Challenge Grants and Children of Colleague Scholarship programs.
Media Contacts
Courtney Tavener
401-712-3698
Courtney.Tavener@CVSHealth.com
By Sharon Arsego; Bristol Magazine; Aug. 2025
The Mission
The groundbreaking work carried out by Prudence Crandall Center (PCC), located in both Bristol and New Britain, began in 1973 as Connecticut’s first shelter for battered women. With no road map or template to guide them, the Center’s founders identified the needs of those living with domestic violence, and forged a new way forward, developing and expanding on their life-saving work and services throughout their fifty-year history. Today, Prudence Crandall Center remains dedicated to helping individuals achieve lives free of domestic violence by providing care, advocacy, support, and education.
The comprehensive, “wrap around services” Prudence Crandall provides are on the cutting edge in the state and in the nation. It speaks of their creativity, understanding and perseverance. Their highly skilled, compassionate team meets survivors where they are in their most difficult moments, employing necessary high-impact programs and well-resourced networks to best help survivors, men, women, and their children, both immediately and in the long term.
Statistics tell us that domestic violence is actively present in every town and community, while remaining mostly unknown to those outside the relationship. One in 4 women, 1 in 7 men, and 1 in 3 dating teens experience abuse, most often starting in the home or while in a personal relationship. Types of domestic abuse include, but are not limited to, online or digital abuse, patterns or incidents of harassment and stalking, threatening and intimidation, degradation, control, and physical or sexual violence. In the majority of cases, these acts of violence are perpetrated by a partner or ex-partner but can also be by a family member or caregiver.
Barbara Damon, Prudence Crandall’s President & CEO, recognizes domestic violence as “a public health crisis”, as it reaches deep into every corner of the survivor’s world, and their community. Neglect and abuse tear people down in the most egregious of ways, and often lead to isolation, where abuse thrives. Domestic violence is also one of the leading causes of homelessness for women with children who have nowhere to turn when escaping an abusive home. The ability for survivors to stay fed and clothed, to succeed at work and school, and to maintain or develop healthy connections is obstructed by the reach of the abuser. It is in these areas, and many more, where Prudence Crandall Center, and a caring community, can make the greatest impact on the lives of survivors and their families.
Nurturing Hope and Community
A caring community of allies and supporters donating their time, talents and funds is invaluable to Prudence Crandall and its clients. The generosity of individuals, businesses and organizations makes it possible for Prudence Crandall to continue offering its unique combination of shelter, housing, and support services victims need to help build self-sufficient lives, free from their abusers. The kindness shown is never taken for granted, and the support received bolsters the Prudence Crandall staff as well as the survivors.
A vital piece to the Prudence Crandall mission is to provide awareness-raising events for the public and community groups. The Hope Tour, led by Prudence Crandall Center,
is designed to help attendees learn more about the impact of domestic violence, what the center provides, and to become involved in making a difference by sharing what they’ve learned with friends and family. The Hope Tour is a first-hand look into how lives have been changed with the support of their community.
To schedule a tour, please call 860.225.5187, ext.219 or direct dial 860-259-3824 to make a reservation. All are welcome.
Additional training programs are available for professionals serving the needs of victims and their children. This includes law enforcement, first responders, health care professionals, and both school and court personnel.
Prudence Crandall currently has liaisons in each of the nine police departments in their service area, including Bristol. With protocols in place, officers are able to determine risk level, and call the Prudence Crandall Crisis Line, connecting victims with their counselors to determine next steps in those critical moments.
Businesses, religious and civic organizations, and other community groups have found the prevention training programs offered by Prudence Crandall Center to be especially helpful in raising awareness among their employees and members.
Prudence Crandall also offers intensive, research-based, multi-week courses as part of its prevention program for schools or youth-serving organizations. These courses are designed at reducing the risk factors and increasing positive behaviors that lead to healthy relationships among teens.
The need to educate our youth about the signs and dangers of violent behavior in a relationship is key. Creating awareness now helps those currently experiencing the abuse, while also bringing the issue into clearer focus at a younger age in the hope that it will prevent heartbreaking tragedies. To learn more or to arrange for a speaker, training, or prevention program, please scan the provided QR code, email kedgeworth@prudencecrandall.org or call 860-936-6965.
Joining Forces: Bristol Health & Prudence Crandall Center
On Friday, June 6th, 2025, Bristol Health and Prudence Crandall announced a new community partnership “focused on raising awareness and expanding support services for domestic violence survivors in the greater Bristol area.” In the press release provided by Bristol Health, Christine Laprise, Vice President of Operations at Bristol Health, is named for leading the way with the community partnership and highlighting “the importance of collaboration to strengthen local organizations and ensure vital resources remain accessible.”
At the announcement, Kurt Barwis, FACHE, President and CEO of Bristol Health spoke to the audience about “the vital role of collaboration in addressing all forms of violence”, and shared insights he gained while part of an FBI panel on the subject the previous year. Barbara Damon, representing Prudence Crandall, expressed her thanks, saying, “We are deeply grateful to Bristol Health for stepping up—not just with words, but with meaningful action.”
One of the main components of the partnership between Bristol Health and Prudence Crandall Center includes specialized training for staff across a number of Bristol Health’s points of care such as the OBGYN offices, the Women, Infant and Children (WIC) Center, Emergency Department, Behavioral Health and more. Prudence Crandall Center will also make their resources available to Bristol Health patients, staff, and visitors throughout its facilities.
At the press conference, Naseem Walker spoke in memory of his late mother, Shenia Walker of Bristol, who was tragically lost to domestic violence in 2013. With courage and through tears, Naseem spoke to the pain of his family’s loss stating, “What happened to you, Mom, was not fair”, and that he was there to bring awareness to domestic violence.
In this way, the Walker family continues to honor Shenia’s memory by advocating for domestic violence awareness and working to prevent other families from enduring a similar loss. Speaking about Prudence Crandall Center on a separate occasion, Shenia’s sisters, Tammie Walker and Taffie Walker-Dudley, shared that “from the first moment PCC found out, they reached out to us and showered us with so much love…You feel the love that they give, and you know the care they have for people that are in the program, for our family, for other families, is genuine.”
Join PCC’s Bristol 100 Campaign!
The Bristol 100 Campaign has a goal to raise the $100,000 needed each year to sustain PCC’s Bristol office, located in the heart of the city. This space was initially made possible by a three-year American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant awarded by the Bristol ARPA Task Force in 2022.
With the ARPA funding ending in June 2025, Prudence Crandall Center remains committed to sustaining the warm and welcoming counseling and meeting spaces where survivors can access all the services Prudence Crandall provides. Your gift to the campaign allows for the continued provision of safety and advocacy, healing and hope for survivors and children in our Bristol Community.
Donations
Donations can be made online at: prudencecrandall.org/donate, or by contact Carolyn Jasper at 860-259-3817 or cjasper@prudencecrandall.org.
How to Connect with PCC
For more information about Prudence Crandall Center, their services, and the Bristol 100 Campaign, visit them online at https://prudencecrandall.org/. The website’s Home page offers helpful resources from identifying signs of abuse and ways to request PCC’s help, to volunteer opportunities and fundraising events. PCC can also be found on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/prudencecrandallcenter.
Domestic violence support, services, and ultimately prevention are at the heart of Prudence Crandall Center. Let’s work together to continue the invaluable, lifesaving, life-changing work of Prudence Crandall Center in Bristol!
Special thanks to the following members of the PCC Leadership Team and Staff who made this article possible: Barbara Damon, President & CEO, Carolyn Jasper, Chief Development Officer, and Caylee Chenkus, Development Manager, Communications. Thanks also to David Rackliffe, Chair of PCC’s Board of Directors, for making the introductions.
Sources for this article include the Prudence Crandall website, interviews and communications with the PCC Leadership Team, and the Bristol Health & PCC June 6, 2025, Press Release. Statements made by the Walker family are shared with their permission. Nazeem Walker’s comments are included in the Bristol Health Press Release.
To request a copy of the press release, please reach out to Bristol Health’s Media Contact: Ysmael Albert Peguero, DBA, FACHE, System Director of Strategy and Business Operations, (860) 585-3558, ypeguero@bristolhospital.org.
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Thomaston Savings Bank Foundation Awards 51 Grants for Hartford County
Thomaston Savings Bank Foundation; Jul. 22, 2025
Thomaston Savings Bank awarded 51 grants totaling $147,870 during Phase I of its Foundation’s Grant Cycle. Grant applications were considered for nonprofit and government agencies addressing community needs in the towns of Bristol, Farmington/Unionville, and New Britain.
“Brian’s Angels thanks Thomaston Savings Bank for their continued support. We couldn’t do it without them! This funding will be used to obtain and repair used bicycles, so clients have the means of transportation to work or to find work.” – Pat Stebbins, Executive Director, Brian’s Angels Homeless Outreach, Inc.
Phase II for Litchfield County is open and accepting applications from local nonprofit and government agencies addressing community needs in the following towns: Bethlehem, Harwinton, Plymouth, Terryville, Thomaston, Torrington, Watertown and Oakville. Please submit all applications before the July 31st deadline. For more information go to ThomastonSB.com/Foundation.
Hartford County Recipients:
- American Clock & Watch Museum
- Arts for Learning Connecticut
- Bengali Association of Greater Hartford
- Boys & Girls Club of Bristol
- Brian’s Angels Homeless Outreach, Inc.
- Bristol Adult Resource Center, Inc.
- Bristol Brass and Wind Ensemble
- Bristol Child Development Center
- Bristol Historical Society
- Bristol Little League
- Bristol Public Schools
- Bristol Recovery Club, Inc.
- Bristol Veterans Council, Inc.
- Bristol Works Inc.
- CCARC, Inc.
- CCSU Foundation
- City of Bristol
- Coram Deo, Inc.
- East Farmington Volunteer Fire Department, Inc.
- Environmental Learning Centers of Connecticut
- Farmington Food Pantry, Inc.
- First Church of Christ, Congregational, 1652
- Friendship Service Center, Inc.
- Girl Scouts of Connecticut, Inc.
- Gloria Dei Lutheran Church
- Grace Pantry
- Greater New Britain Teen Pregnancy Prevention, Inc.
- Healing Meals Foundation Corporation
- Hospital for Special Care
- Human Resources Agency of New Britain, Inc.
- Literacy Volunteers of Central Connecticut
- Memorial Military Museum, Inc.
- Neighborhood Housing Services of New Britain
- New Britain Museum of American Art
- New Horizons Living Center, Inc.
- New Horizons, Inc.
- PARC, Inc.
- Pequabuck River Watershed Association
- Prudence Crandall Center, Inc. Bristol
- Prudence Crandall Center, Inc. New Britain
- Queen Ann Nzinga Center, Inc.
- Quilts That Care, Inc.
- Shepard Meadows Therapeutic Riding Center, Inc.
- The Bristol Farmers Market, Inc.
- The Family Center
- The Hospital of Central Connecticut
- The New England Carousel Museum, Inc.
- The Salvation Army of Bristol
- The Salvation Army New Britain Corps
- Wheeler Clinic, Inc.
- YWCA New Britain CT
Several Southington Causes Benefit From Health, Wellness Grants
Michael Lemanski; Southington Patch; Jun. 27, 2025
SOUTHINGTON, CT — A regional benevolence foundation recently doled out a significant amout of funding to help causes aiding the Southington community.
The Main Street Community Foundation out of Bristol recently awarded $724,549 in grants to six local organizations improving the health outcomes of Southington residents.
The grants were awarded from the foundation’s Bradley Henry Barnes and Leila Upson Barnes Memorial Trust, which was established in 1973.
The organizations awarded grants include:
- LiveWell for $150,000 to continue and expand the Dementia Positive Southington initiative.
The goal of the initiative is to pioneer a dementia [ositive community in Southington that promotes positive attitudes towards people living with dementia and advocates for brain health as a public health priority. - Prudence Crandall Center, Inc., in New Britain for $85,000 to support comprehensive domestic violence intervention and prevention services, including: community education and prevention, outreach activities, community counseling services, supportive housing placement, court advocacy, and the 24/7 crisis shelter and hotline.
- Senior Transportation Services out of New Britain for $113,127 to provide Southington residents who are age 50+ or disabled, one-on-one, curb-to-curb, reliable, medical transportation. The service provides free rides to medical appointments, pharmacy, hair salon/barber, bank or a care facility to visit a family member.
- The LEAF (Lewis Educational Agricultural Farm) for $60,000 to provide operating support for agricultural education programs in collaboration with the Southington public schools and the greater community.
- Programming includes planting and harvesting school gardens, farm field trips, farm to school lunch program, summer farm camp, the CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program, adult classes on healthy food preparation, and delivery of fresh produce to Bread for Life and Southington Community Services food pantry.
- Wheeler Health for $116,422 to continue the Southington Community Health Outreach Initiative, which enhances access to behavioral health services for Southington residents through social work interventions. This approach addresses community-wide needs, reduces barriers to care, and promotes better behavioral health outcomes across all age groups. By connecting individuals with appropriate resources early on, the program prevents the escalation of mental health issues that may require higher levels of care.
- Yale School of Nursing for $100,000 to establish a FINGER (FINish GERiatric)-based cognitive wellness clinic at LiveWell led by Yale clinicians and faculty. This 15-month pilot program will provide individual, small-group, and community education on brain health and dementia risk reduction, while offering continuing education for health care providers. The goal of this program is to support early identification and management of cognitive decline.
Since the foundation was appointed trustee of The Bradley Henry Barnes and Leila Upson Barnes Memorial Trust in 2004, it has awarded a total of $14.9 million, all to the benefit of Southington residents’ health and well-being.
Barnes Trust grants $725k to area health initiatives
Brian Johnson; The Bristol Press; Jun. 25, 2025
SOUTHINGTON — Six local nonprofits were awarded more than $724,000 in grants from the Bradley Henry Barnes & Leila Upson Barnes Memorial Trust at the Main Street Community Foundation.
Samantha Rajotte, scholarship and program officer with the Main Street Community Foundation, said a total of $724,549 in grants were awarded to organizations “working to improve the health and wellbeing of Southington residents.”
The Bradley Henry Barnes & Leila Upson Barnes Memorial Trust was established in 1973, and the Main Street Community Foundation was appointed as trustee in 2004.
The latest grant recipients include the following:
- LiveWell — $150,000 to continue and expand the Dementia Positive Southington initiative. The goal of the initiative is to pioneer a “Dementia Positive community” in Southington that promotes positive attitudes towards people living with dementia, and advocates for brain health as a public health priority.
- Prudence Crandall Center, Inc. — $85,000 to support comprehensive Domestic Violence Intervention & Prevention services including: community education and prevention, outreach activities, community counseling services, supportive housing placement, court advocacy, and the 24/7 crisis shelter and hotline.
- The LEAF (Lewis Educational Agricultural Farm) — $60,000 to provide operating support for agricultural education programs in collaboration with the Southington Public Schools and the greater community. Programming includes planting and harvesting school gardens, farm field trips, farm to school lunch program, summer farm camp, the Community Supported Agriculture program, adult classes on healthy food preparation, and delivery of fresh produce to Bread for Life and Southington Community Services food pantry.
- Wheeler Health — $116,422 to continue the Southington Community Health Outreach Initiative, which enhances access to behavioral health services for Southington residents through social work interventions. This approach addresses community-wide needs, reduces barriers to care, and promotes better behavioral health outcomes across all age groups. By connecting individuals with appropriate resources early on, the program aims to prevent the escalation of mental health issues that may require higher levels of care.
- Yale School of Nursing — $100,000 to establish a FINGER (FINish GERiatric) based cognitive wellness clinic at LiveWell, led by Yale clinicians and faculty. This 15-month pilot program will provide individual, small-group, and community education on brain health and dementia risk reduction, while offering continuing education for healthcare providers. The goal of this program is to support early identification and management of cognitive decline.
For more information on the Bradley Henry Barnes and Leila Upson Barnes Memorial Trust, or Main Street Community Foundation, call 860-583-6363 or visit mainstreetfoundation.org.
Bristol Hospital highlights efforts to reduce domestic violence on National Have Hope Friday
Kent Pierce; WTNH News 8; Jun. 6, 2025
June 6 is National Have Hope Friday. It’s a day when hospitals highlight efforts to reduce violence in their workplaces and their communities. Bristol Hospital highlighted efforts to reduce domestic violence.
Speaking at the press conference Friday was Naseem Walker. He and his brothers lost their mother Shenia Walker 12 years ago. Her boyfriend stabbed her to death in her Bristol apartment.
“A day that forever changed our lives,” Walker said. “There’s an emptiness in our hearts that nothing can ever fill. We still find ourselves asking why? Why did it have to be you?”
This was the first time Walker spoke publicly about his mother. He did so as part of Bristol Hospital announcing a partnership with the Prudence Crandall Center, which offers lots of help.
“Emergency shelter for those fleeing danger, transitional and long-term housing, counseling, court advocacy and more,” Barbara Damon, the Prudence Crandall Center President & CEO, listed.
Part of the partnership is that the Prudence Crandall Center will hold training sessions for the hospital personnel most likely to encounter victims of domestic violence. That includes training in how to spot domestic violence, what to ask suspected victims, and what to do if you identify a victim.
“All staff members who have been trained will be provided with a purple ribbon to place on their badges, and I have one of those on me today,” Christine Laprise, the vice president of operations for Bristol Health, said.
The goal is not just to help domestic violence victims, but to stop the violence itself.
“We must prevent it before it begins, and that means raising awareness, building resilience, and working hand in hand with out community,” Damon said.
Which is the only way to save children from going through what Walker-Jenkins and his brothers did.
“We just wish we had one more moment with you, one more chance to say how much we love you, one more hug and one more I love you,” Walker said.
Watch the full story HERE.
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Local Leaders Celebrate “Moving Forward Together!” in Honor of Women’s History Monthp
New Britain Independent; Apr. 1, 2025
Photo by Dr Frank Gerratana.
State legislators and City Council members honored the accomplishments of local women leaders at an event in honor of Women’s History Month.
The event, “Moving Forward Together!” was hosted by the Council President Pro Tempore, Ald Francisco Santiago (D-5), Council Majority Leader, Ald John McNamara (D-4) and Council Assistant Majority Leader Ald Iris Sanchez (D-2).
The event, was also hosted by New Britain state legislators, including Sen Rick Lopes (D-6), Rep Bobby Sanchez (D-25), Rep Emmanuel Sanchez (D-26), Rep David DeFronzo (D-26) and Rep Gary Turco (D-27).
Honored at the event were,
- Valeria Burkes – Mary McLeod Bethune Club
- Lily DeJesus – Prudence Crandall Center
- Marta Noemi De Jesus – Puerto Rican Society of New Britain
- Jade Siqueira – Klingberg Family Centers
- Anna Suski-Lenczewski – Sacred Heart Church
The event was Monday at the New Britain Event Center on Farmington Avenue.
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Bill would reduce sentences for domestic violence survivors convicted of crimes related to their abuse
Nicole Zappone; The Bristol Press; Mar. 20, 2025
A local domestic violence shelter is supporting state legislation that would cut in half the sentences of people who are domestic violence survivors and who committed a crime related to their domestic violence abuse.
In these bills, legislation would consider whether a person getting court-ordered mental health treatment would also need court-ordered domestic violence treatment.
Senate Bill 1502 states, “An act concerning sentence reduction or relief for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking or human trafficking” would allow prosecutors, judges and parole boards to consider if evidence shows a person’s domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking or human trafficking was a contributing factor in the commission of their crime.
New York, Oklahoma and Illinois have already enacted similar laws, while Massachusetts is considering a similar bill.
The second bill, Senate Bill 1505, states, “An act allowing court discretion to add a family violence component to the pretrial supervised diversionary program for persons with psychiatric disabilities requires the Court Support Services Division to determine if a person has the capacity to participate in domestic violence treatment – either in concurrence with or following the completion of mental health treatment – in cases involving a family violence crime.”
“We urge your support of Senate Bill 1502, which helps prevent further harm to criminalized survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, trafficking and stalking by ensuring that their victimization can be considered when determining a fair sentence for crimes that they have committed,” said Zahria Cooper of the Prudence Crandall Center.
“Unfortunately, for some survivors, the harm does not end when the abuse stops,” Cooper said. “They may become entangled in the criminal justice system for offenses that were a direct result of their victimization – whether through coercion, self-defense or survival-related crimes. Connecticut’s current laws do not always allow the impact of these experiences to be fully considered at sentencing, leading to prison terms and legal consequences that needlessly compound a survivor’s suffering.” State Sen. Mae Flexer co-sponsors the bill, which is the work of the state’s Domestic Violence Criminal Justice and Enhancement Advisory Council.
“There’s been too much inconsistency in pretrial programs across the state when it comes to mental health treatment and domestic violence treatment,” Flexer said. “It doesn’t have to be either-or, and that’s what we’re asking the criminal justice system to focus more on with Senate Bill 1505.”
Flexer added a majority of the women incarcerated for felonies have had some sort of domestic violence, whether it be sexual assault, stalking or a trafficking incident in their lives, and that is not taken into account when a woman is sentenced for a crime. She believes the bill will correct that.
“Courts take a lot of things into consideration before sentencing: age, past criminal record, mental capacity, cooperation with authorities – a variety of things,” Flexer said. “Connecticut needs to codify in its own statutes that if domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking and other such personal horrors were a contributing factor in the commission of a crime, the sentence needs to be reduced. We shouldn’t be further punishing the victims of such abuse who may have been literally fighting for their lives.”
If the court finds evidence of any of the contributing factors, it must depart from conventional sentencing guidelines for the applicable offense and apply a penalty that is half the normal.
The Board of Pardon and Parole would also have the option of considering that same evidence for people who are already incarcerated and have served at least half of their sentence and would consider them for parole at their discretion, as long as the release is “not incompatible with the welfare of society.”
Bills would cut in half sentences for those who suffered domestic violence
Nicole Zappone; New Britain Herald; Mar. 19, 2025
NEW BRITAIN — Many state legislators threw their support behind legislation that would cut in half the sentences of people who are domestic violence survivors and who committed a crime related to their domestic violence abuse.
In these bills, legislation would consider whether a person getting court-ordered mental health treatment would also need court-ordered domestic violence treatment.
Both bills received public hearings Monday before the Judiciary Committee.
If any of those were a contributing factor, their prison sentence times would typically range from three to 60 years and be cut in half. Under these new bills, those who are already in prison under such circumstances and have served at least half their sentence could become eligible for immediate parole.
New York, Oklahoma and Illinois have already enacted similar laws, while Massachusetts is considering a similar bill.
If the court finds evidence of any of the contributing factors, it must depart from conventional sentencing guidelines for the applicable offense and apply a penalty that is half the normal.
The Board of Pardon and Parole would also have the option of considering that same evidence for people who are already incarcerated and have served at least half of their sentence and would consider them for parole at their discretion, as long as the release is “not incompatible with the welfare of society.”
“We urge your support of Senate Bill 1502, which helps prevent further harm to criminalized survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, trafficking and stalking by ensuring that their victimization can be considered when determining a fair sentence for crimes that they have committed,” said Zahria Cooper of the Prudence Crandall Center.
The center provides safety planning, shelter, court-based advocacy and transportation services to domestic violence survivors in Berlin, Bristol, Burlington, Kensington, New Britain, Plainville, Plymouth, Southington and Terryville.
“Unfortunately, for some survivors, the harm does not end when the abuse stops,” Cooper said. “They may become entangled in the criminal justice system for offenses that were a direct result of their victimization – whether through coercion, self-defense or survival-related crimes. Connecticut’s current laws do not always allow the impact of these experiences to be fully considered at sentencing, leading to prison terms and legal consequences that needlessly compound a survivor’s suffering.”
Podcast: Advocates are prepared for an increase in domestic violence incidents this holiday season
Chloe Wynne, Catherine Shen; NPR’s Where We Live; Dec. 9, 2024
The holiday season can bring financial stress, more time at home, and pressure to spend time with family. According to advocates, these conditions place survivors of domestic violence at high risk.
This hour, we talk to advocates about how they are meeting the growing need for domestic violence services across the state and why the expiration of American Rescue Plan funds could make their work more difficult.
And later, we address questions surrounding reaching out to domestic violence crisis centers if you’re undocumented or not ready to involve law enforcement.
Listen to the full podcast here.
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