Jason Rojas is a Connecticut state representative and House majority leader. A Democrat, he represents the 9th District, including parts of East Hartford and Manchester. He previously served on East Hartford's Board of Education and Town Council. He earned a history degree at the University of Connecticut and a master's in public policy at Trinity College, where he has also worked in college administration.
DI has documented statements by Jason Rojas on Criminal Justice Policy and Government Spending. Read the quotations, original sources and related cases below.
Role at the time: Jason Rojas, Connecticut House majority leader, in comments reported October 1
Condemned
Statement summary
Rojas argues that prison debt adds to financial insecurity after release.
“a policy that adds to that just seems really inconsistent”
Open source (opens in a new tab)Lamont, lawmakers call for changes to CT prison debt lawOpening account of Wednesday's remarks; paragraphs beginning 'Lamont said state officials' and 'Maybe if'; subsequent legislative-leader responses.
Why we used this label
The reference point is collection of incarceration costs. Rojas criticizes the policy for adding to financial instability.
Connecticut charges incarcerated people up to $347 a day and can collect the debt for 20 years after release, including from settlements and inheritances. A 2026 investigation found the state collected about $21 million this way since 2020.
