House Republican Press Release

January 23, 2008

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Reps DelGobbo, Greene Vote for Criminal Justice Reforms

Disappointed with Majority Democrats Rejection of Tough ‘Three Strikes’ Proposal Vs Repeat Violent Offenders

State Representatives Kevin M. DelGobbo and Len Greene early this morning strongly supported 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.

However, the majority Democrats rejected Republican efforts to enact a “three strikes” law that would have sent repeat violent felony offenders to jail for life.

“We have passed a good bill,” said Representative DelGobbo, R-Naugatuck. “What is disappointing is that we still have not passed a bill that the people of the state wanted. The most fundamental obligation of government is to protect the safety of its citizens, particularly in their homes.”

“It astonishes me that attempts to put in place a real ‘three strikes and you’re out’ law will not be allowed,” said Representative DelGobbo.

“The legislation we approved today gives Connecticut families more protection from violent offenders and eliminates loopholes in our parole system that will prevent many dangerous prisoners from being released after serving only a fraction of their sentences,” said Representative Greene, R-105^th District. “I voted for this measure because its overall effect will be to improve public safety.”

“Unfortunately, the majority Democrats rejected an amendment we proposed that would have created a true ‘three strikes’ provision. It would have significantly strengthened the bill we passed today by keeping criminals who commit three violent crimes behind bars until they are too old to threaten anyone,” Representative Greene said.

The House Republican ‘Three Strikes’ amendment would have required that after a third conviction of a dangerous felony the individual would be sentenced to a term of life imprisonment without the possibility of release, the legislators said.

The dangerous felonies would have included murder other than a capital felony, manslaughter, arson, kidnapping, robbery in the first or second degree, robbery involving an occupied motor vehicle, assault constituting a felony, sexual assault in the first or third degree, home invasion, burglary in the first or second degree, or stalking in the first degree, the legislators said.

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 provisions recommended by the governor’s task force and supported by most legislators.

They include:

• Creating a new crime of home invasion.
• Requiring individuals convicted of second degree burglary or home invasion to serve at least 85 percent of their sentences.
• Altering the makeup, qualification requirements and appointment process for the state Board of Pardons and Paroles, and prohibiting parole hearings from being conducted unless the board’s chairperson certifies that all pertinent information has been provided to the board or is unavailable.
• Eliminating the parole administrative review procedure, making it more difficult for dangerous violent offenders to be released from prison prematurely.
• Requiring global positioning system monitoring of 300 additional parolees.
• Requiring the Judicial Branch to post certain arrest warrant information on the internet.

Rep. DelGobbo serves the 70th Assembly District of Naugatuck in the state House of Representatives.

Rep. Greene serves the 105^th Assembly District, which includes Ansonia, Beacon Falls and Seymour.