The Commission on Racial and Ethnic Disparity in the Criminal Justice System was created by the Connecticut state legislature in 2000 (Public Act 00-154). The stated purpose of that act was “to establish a commission dedicated to eliminating racial and ethnic disparity in the criminal justice system.” During the 2015 legislative session, the Commission’s membership and charge were slightly modified with the passage of Public Act 15-109.
The Commission benefits from the diversity of its membership and the leadership of its Chair, Justice Lubbie Harper, Jr. Since Justice Harper’s appointment in 2006, the Commission has addressed such topics as juvenile justice and the prevention of juvenile entry into the criminal justice system, implicit bias, youth-police programming, access to justice, and jury instruction, to name a few.
The Commission has hosted a series of remarkable events, bringing to Connecticut such experts as Charles Ogletree, Marc Mauer, Jerry Kang and Rachel Godsil.
The Commission meets every other month at Hartford Community Court. For meeting agendas and minutes, please visit the Commission Meetings page. For a list of members, please view the Commission Members tab.
Honoring a Champion of Justice: Celebrating the Enshrinement of Hon. Lubbie Harper, Jr.
September 23, 2023 Commission chair, the Honorable Lubbie Harper, Jr., was enshrined into the Ruby & Calvin Fletcher African American History Museum in Stratford for his historical accomplishments fighting for justice in the state of Connecticut. We thank you for your remarkable achievements and congratulate you for your honor.
Celebrating a Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion: Troy Brown Named Director
The Commission would also like to recognize the Judicial Branch’s continued commitment to achieve diversity, equity and inclusion within its operations in-part by its creation of a Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. We also want to congratulate long-time supporter of the Commission, Troy Brown, for being named the first Director of this crucial office.