Suzio: State Failing to Protect Public from Violent Criminals

Middletown Republicans rallied in support of state Sen. Len Suzio's call for the suspension of the state Department of Corrections' early release program, which he says allowed a convicted sex offender out on the streets as much as two months early for good behavior.

Joseph Y. Mabery, 49, of Middletown was arrested earlier this week for masturbating on a bus in front of a 14-year-old girl. On Friday, the state Victim's Advocate confirmed he was awarded credits under the Risk Reduction Earned Credit Program and was released from prison early despite 27 prior convictions, including sexual assault, burglary and assaulting a public safety officer. 

The RREC program became law in July 2011. It allows Connecticut inmates — including those convicted of rape, kidnapping, child molestation, and other violent crimes — to have their court-ordered prison sentences reduced by up to five days per month for every month they are incarcerated. Provided inmates exhibit generally “good behavior” and attend basic re-entry classes, they can earn credits retroactive to April 1, 2006. 

Middletown Republicans, including Common Councilor Deb Kleckowski, former Councilman David Bauer, Ryan Kennedy of the Board of Education, Callie Grippo, who's running against state Rep. Joseph Serra for the 33rd House seat, and William Wilson, vice president of the Republican Town Committee, showed up for the event.

They stood with Suzio at a 4 p.m. press conference at Middletown Police headquarters, holding signs saying, "suspend early release now," "Governor Malloy, help us," and "save our children."

Suzio also collected signatures for a petition. "We are asking Governor Malloy to suspend this program and order an investigation into how it is being administered as it affects public safety," it reads.