LISTEN: UConn Legend Caron Butler Wants Lamont To Limit Solitary Confinement

Connecticut Public Radio | By John Henry Smith

Published June 8, 2021 at 5:47 PM EDT

Rep. Robyn Porter watches Caron Butler, former UConn star and NBA player-turned-assistant coach, talk about the time he spent in solitary confinement as a kid.

Both chambers of the state legislature over the weekend passed SB 1059 -- also known as the PROTECT Act. It’s a measure that would end the practice of long-term continuous solitary confinement for most inmates by mandating they be given at least 6 1/2 hours outside the cell each day. The measure would also curtail abusive shackling and strengthen oversight of the Department of Correction. To help persuade Gov. Ned Lamont to sign the bill into law, UConn basketball legend Caron Butler spoke to the legislature Monday. The current Miami Heat assistant coach joined All Things Considered to talk about the issue.

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John Henry Smith

John Henry Smith is Connecticut Public’s host of All Things Considered, its flagship afternoon news program. He's proud to be a part of the team that won a regional Emmy Award for The Vote: A Connecticut Conversation. In his 21st year as a professional broadcaster, he’s covered both news and sports.

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