House Republican Press Release

January 22, 2008

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Adinolfi Votes for Criminal Justice Reforms

Majority Party Rejects Tougher “Three Strikes” Provision Against Repeat Offenders

HARTFORD- State Representative Al Adinolfi (R-Cheshire) today voted in favor of legislation to increase penalties for home invasions, saying it closed some loopholes in state anti-crime laws but failed to impose tougher penalties on repeat violent offenders, including repeat burglars.

The state House and Senate, meeting in special session nearly six months to the day after a Cheshire home invasion and triple murder shocked the state, adopted many of the provision recommended by the governor’s task force and supported by most legislators.

They include:

• Creating a new crime of home invasion

• Requiring someone convicted of second degree burglary or home invasion to serve at least 85 percent of his or her sentence

• Altering the makeup of the state Board of Pardons and Parole

• Limiting parole relief by administrative review

The Democratic majority rejected Republican efforts in the Senate and House to enact a “three strikes” law that would send repeat violent felony offenders to jail for life.

“There are certainly a number of things we can and should do to make this legislation stronger,” said Representative Adinolfi. “I would have preferred to see a measure that treats all break-ins as home invasion, and doesn’t split hairs about whether the home is occupied or not.  However, this measure is an important and critical first step toward significant and meaningful reform.”

Representative Adinolfi serves the 103rd Assembly District which includes parts of the towns of Cheshire, Wallingford and Hamden.