He is a Trustee of the Vera Institute for Justice and the author of “Tuff Juice: My Journey from the Streets to the NBA. And pass it.Ĭaron Butler is a former professional basketball player, former UConn basketball player and is currently assistant coach of the Miami Heat. To fix this “We” problem, we need Connecticut’s leaders to step up and do what only they can: Put the PROTECT Act to a vote. If it doesn’t, it will continue to choose abuse over rehabilitation. When his uncles would come back from prison, they would be looked at as. Connecticut worked with the Vera Institute of Justice, where I serve as a Trustee, to adopt bold and leading rehabilitative programs that are a national model, even featured on “ 60 Minutes.” And it can lead again with the PROTECT Act. A look at Caron Butlers incredible journey from incarceration to the NBA. 1059, which has already passed out of committee.Ĭonnecticut has made us proud before, and I know it can again. Ned Lamont, Speaker Matt Ritter, and Senate President Pro Tem Martin Looney - to advance the PROTECT Act, S.B. They are asking Connecticut’s political leaders - Gov. Residents, including former wardens, psychologists, dedicated activists at Stop Solitary CT, moms, and people themselves facing the damage caused by solitary confinement, have all testified in support of the bill. People who, like me, know that time in solitary might very well rob them of their second chance along with their humanity.Ī growing movement of folks in Connecticut sees solitary as a “We” problem. That’s why I am disturbed that Connecticut routinely uses solitary confinement against people it incarcerates - people who, like me, made mistakes, but have the desire and talent to thrive and give back once released. I got the message loud and clear: Our aim is not to rehabilitate you. Denied access to the family and community ties who remind you of who you are and who you could become. During those excruciating days, I had to dig deep to hold on to the things I cherish - my faith, my mother’s embrace, my brothers’ laughter, a perfect shot on the basketball court. I tried to mask my fear by acting tough and ended up in solitary for nearly two weeks. My time in prison - where I was one of the youngest - was frightening. I had multiple run-ins with the law before I was 15 and got an 18-month sentence. People like me.ĭespite the love and care of an amazing mom, I was exposed to drug-dealing and violence from a young age. If they choose to look away, they’ll be hurting people. But despite the United Nations calling out Connecticut’s use of solitary as torture, the state’s political leaders need more encouragement to do the right thing. Connecticut is considering State Bill 1059, which would comprehensively restrict solitary confinement and create responsible, impactful changes. Now, Connecticut faces a choice: join them in reforming this brutal practice or be left behind. States like New York and New Jersey have taken steps to limit solitary. It was damaging, physically and mentally. I made some serious mistakes and was incarcerated. She also started a social action campaign called Win With Justice, designed to call attention to the power wielded by prosecutors and their obligation to use it responsibly.Before I was an NBA forward, before I was a UConn Husky and Big East Conference Player of the Year, I was a teenager. Maya Moore left the WNBA to wage what became a successful fight to overturn the wrongful conviction of Jonathan Irons, who later became her husband. After his time in prison, Caron took big steps to change his life. 'My role models back then were pimps and drug dealers,' Caron told Oprah in 2005. Growing up on the streets of Racine, Wisconsin, Caron was arrested 15 times before the age of 15. “That’s the biggest problem around our prison systems is that often people have a hard time connecting with the humanity of incarcerated people.”īutler is not the first former UConn star to advocate for criminal justice reform. NBA player Caron Butlers road to success was not an easy one. “This is somebody people can connect with,” she said. But there will now be a review process to ensure that isolation ends.īarbara Fair, the lead organizer for the Stop Solitary CT campaign, part of the National Religious Campaign Against Torture, said while thousands of people have horror stories about living in solitary confinement, it’s important for someone as well known as Butler to step forward. But its supporters say it includes exceptions, such as allowing officers to isolate a prisoner when that is needed to protect someone’s life. Opponents of the bill say it will take a tool away from guards that helps maintain discipline in prisons. They are going to come up with ways to rehabilitate that never dehumanize people.” There’s going to be change on the horizon. There’s going to be elected officials out there in the future that’s going to care about this community in real time. “Now I look back in hindsight and I want to tell my younger self to stay hopeful,” he said.
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