Suzio Calls Meriden Sexual Assault Case Another Failure of Early Release Program

Former State Senator Len Suzio has criticized the case of the man accused of sexually assaulting a 10-year-old Meriden girl as another example of the failure of the state’s early release program, WFSB reports.

Jose Gonzalez, formerly known as Desmond James, 23, sexually assaulted a 10-year-old girl after breaking into the family’s home in downtown Meriden. Gonzalez had escaped from a halfway house on Oct.3, his probation period was due to end in December.

According to WTNH News 8, Gonzalez was serving time in prison for other crimes and was able to enroll in the risk reduction earned credit program which allows inmates time off their sentence for taking rehabilitation classes. Gonzalez was able to earn credits every month for the entire 25 months he was in prison earning a total of 129 days off of his sentence.

The program started under Gov. Malloy’s leadership in Sept. 2011.

Suzio, a Republican, who is running for State Senate in Meriden, told WFSB that at the rate Gonzalez was earning credits he would have been back on the streets by the end of next month. Suzio added that there was enough graphic evidence to show that the program is failing and should be disbanded.

The former State Senator has supported State Senator Joe Markley’s proposed legislation to end the program.

According to both news channels, The Department of Corrections released statistics backing up the program saying that since 2013, there has been a 47-year low in serious crimes reported and violent crime is down 10.8 percent.

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