Jess Zaccagnino is policy counsel at the ACLU of Connecticut. Her work includes legislative research, drafting and advocacy. She studied human rights at Bard College and law at the University of Connecticut. She earned both a law degree and a Master of Laws in human rights and social justice at UConn. Before joining the ACLU in 2021, she was sessional legal counsel to the Connecticut House majority leader.
We have documented 1 statement by Jess Zaccagnino, in 1 case. Each statement below gives the quotation, its original source and a link to the full case.
Case updates
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Role at the time: Policy counsel, ACLU of Connecticut
Condemned
Statement summary
The committee recorded Jess Zaccagnino urging abolition of prison debt, describing it as unjust and harmful to families.
“Described statement (committee summary): The committee recorded Jess Zaccagnino urging abolition of prison debt, describing it as unjust and harmful to families.”
Read the original text (opens in a new tab)Connecticut Judiciary Committee report on HB 5390Page 1, vote date and action; Page 2, ACLU-CT testimony summary; Page 3, Barbra Fair testimony summary; Page 5, Fines & Fees Justice Center testimony summary; Page 2, response from administration/agency
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.
