'Lis?ii' U.S. Department of Justice 3.- :5 Civil Rights Division SHRISRJIJKC: Washington, D. C. 20530 DJ 168-14-33 OCT 1 5 2019 The Honorable Ned Lamont Governor of Connecticut State Capitol 210 Capitol Avenue Hartford, CT 06106 RE: Investigation of Manson Youth institution Dear Governor Lamont: I write to inform you that the United States Department of Justice has initiated an investigation regarding conditions for juveniles e. inmates under the age of 18) con?ned at the Manson Youth Institution. The Department undertakes this investigation pursuant to the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA), 42 U.S.C. 1997 (2012), and the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, 34 U.S.C. 12601 (2012) (Section 12601). The investigation will examine whether the facility?s restrictive housing practices violate the constitutional rights of Manson juveniles. We will also investigate Whether mental health services for juveniles at the facility are constitutionally inadequate. Finally, we will examine whether the State violates the rights of youths with disabilities at Manson under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), 20 U.S.C. 1400-1482 (2012). We have not reached any conclusions about the subject matter of the investigation. We believe that you and Department of Correction of?cials and staff seek to operate the facility consistent with the requirements of the Constitution and the IDEA. During the course of our investigation, we will consider all relevant information, particularly efforts the State has undertaken to ensure compliance with the Constitution and federal law. Should we identify de?ciencies during the investigation, we will provide technical assistance where possible and appropriate. Upon completion of our investigation, if we conclude that there are no systemic violations of constitutional or other federal rights, we will notify you that we are closing the investigation. If, on the other hand, we conclude that there are such violations, we will provide written notice of the results of the investigation and identify the minimum measures we believe are necessary to remedy the violations. In our many years of enforcing CRIPA and Section 12601, the good faith efforts of State, County, or local jurisdictions in working with us have enabled us routinely to resolve our claims without resort to contested litigation. We encourage you to cooperate with our investigation. We can assure you that we will seek to minimize any potential disruption that our investigation may have on the operations of Manson. Our Special Litigation Section will be handling the investigation and will contact your of?ce with next steps. The Chief of the Special Litigation Section, Steven H. Rosenbaum, may be reached at (202) 616-3244, and Deputy Chief Shelley Jackson may be reached at 202-305- 3373. Sincerely, Eric S. Dreiband Assistant Attorney General cc: William Tong Attorney General State of Connecticut Rollin Cook Commissioner Connecticut Department of Correction Derrick Molden Warden Manson Youth Institution John H. Durham United States Attorney District of Connecticut Michelle Kalka Acting Director, Boston Of?ce Of?ce for Civil Rights US. Department of Education