ACLU head talks about U.S. prisons

SALISBURY — Stephen Glassman, executive director of the ACLU of Connecticut, spoke about racial justice and anti-Semitism at Noble Horizons on Sunday, Sept. 27. The talk was hosted by the Jewish Community Group of the NorthWest Corner (JCGNWC).

Glassman began by recapping some American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) achievements,  including increasing awareness of anti-Semitism and fighting for legislation to defend and protect minorities.

The conversation centered on the successful Police Accountability Bill, promoted by the ACLU, which was recently passed in Connecticut. The aim of the bill is to “protect the physical and emotional well-being of minority groups, such as African-Americans and Latinos, among others,” Glassman said. 

It is hoped that the success of the bill will inspire other states to create similar legislation, he said. 

Among other things, the Police Accountability Bill provides $15 million from the state to purchase body cameras to be worn by policemen. 

Glassman compared American and Scandinavian prison systems, and talked a bit about the prison population in the U.S. Scandinavian prison systems provide a more holistic rehabilitation approach to prisoners by providing them with counseling, education and training to prepare them to eventually be reincorporated into society, he said. He cited this as an example that the American justice system should learn from.

He said that American prisons are overfilled and noted that a majority of people who are incarcerated are of African-American descent. He said he hopes to bring more awareness to this issue.

To learn more about the ACLU of Connecticut, go to www.acluct.org or call 860- 523-9146.