State Rep. Bruce Morris (D-140th District) announced new measures Thursday designed to combat racial inequality at the Norwalk Superior Courthouse.

As part of the new reforms, a third judge has been assigned to the courthouse. Judges and court personnel will also attend additional diversity and cultural awareness training. The changes come after complaints were lodged about excessive sentences for black defendants.

Morris said after closer investigation, the problem proved to be a general lack of civility and respect, not one of racial insensitivity. He said he believes the new measures are a positive step toward dealing with the matter.

The court?s chief administrator blames the problem on a backlog of cases.