This year, 161 artists, all of whom are incarcerated, submitted more than 600 pieces for the annual exhibition of the Prison Arts Program.
Emilia Otte
Emilia Otte was CT Mirror's Justice Reporter from the spring of 2025 to the spring of 2026. She covered the conditions in Connecticut prisons, the judicial system and migration. She also covered higher education. Prior to working for CT Mirror, she spent four years at CT Examiner, where she covered education, healthcare and children's issues both locally and statewide. She graduated with a BA in English from Bryn Mawr College and a MA in Global Journalism from New York University, where she specialized in Europe and the Mediterranean.
Posted inPolitics
CT faith leaders hold prayer gathering, urge ICE agents to ‘repent’
On a rainy Ash Wednesday, Christian and Jewish clergy gathered to pray and call on ICE agents to end violent tactics, follow their conscience
Posted inGovernment
To recruit first responders, CT weighs tuition, mortgage assistance
Under Lamont’s bill, CT would waive tuition at public colleges and universities and offer mortgage assistance for police and firefighters.
Posted inMoney
CT judges seek 4.6% pay hike next year to close wage gaps
Legislative leaders praised CT’s judges and their performance, but they also noted lawmakers are swamped with funding requests this year.
Posted inJustice
Proposed juvenile facility in Tolland rankles locals, legislators
State lawmakers and Tolland officials say they were blindsided by a plan to open a new juvenile detention facility in the town.
Posted inGovernment
As reports of online exploitation grow, CT leaders try new strategies
CT officials are considering new regulations on social media and gaming companies to protect youths, but advocates say there’s more to do.
Posted inJustice
Adults sentenced for crimes as youth want CT to expand early parole
Advocates want to expand access to early parole for people who committed crimes before age 26 and were given lengthy sentences.
Posted inJustice
3 deaths in CT prisons this week, including Maryam Khan attacker
Andrey Desmond, who was serving a 5-year sentence for a 2023 assault on state Rep. Maryam Khan, was found unresponsive in his cell on Feb. 1.
Posted inEducation
Lamont’s education budget diverges from Dems, backfills federal cuts
Lamont’s proposed budget diverged from some Democrats’ key priorities. It also included backfill for federal cuts to student loan programs.
Posted inJustice
Lamont’s budget calls for public safety upgrades, staffing studies
The budget funds upgraded technology for CT troopers and security upgrades at the DOC, as well staffing studies for both.
Posted inJustice
CT legislators to pitch bill to allow lawsuits against federal agents
CT Democrats said they will propose a bill allowing residents to sue federal agents for violations of their constitutional rights.
Posted inJustice
How well is CT meeting the needs of incarcerated young women?
Recent data from the Judicial Branch has renewed questions about how well CT is addressing the challenges young women face in detention.
Posted inImmigration
CT mayors, police chiefs weigh how to manage ICE deployments
Some CT mayors are talking with their police chiefs about how best to manage any confrontations between ICE officers and local residents.
Posted inJustice
Interim no more: John Day named CT Chief Public Defender
John Day has been serving as CT’s interim chief public defender since TaShun Bowden-Lewis was fired in June 2024.
Posted inJustice
CT correction ombuds details ‘institutional failure’ in prison conditions report
The 2025 Conditions of Confinement report examined several aspects of prison life, from food service to technology to medical care.