Did you know that 70,000 people will return from state prison to their New Jersey communities over the next 5 years? For more facts about reentry in New Jersey,
download the fact sheet
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Civil Consequences of
Criminal Convictions in New Jersey:
Fact Sheets
Individuals leaving prison in New Jersey face many legal barriers to successful reintegration. To learn about specific restrictions in various areas, click on the links below.
The New Jersey Institute
For Social Justice, Inc.
IN THIS ISSUE
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House Judiciary Committee Passes Second Chance Act >>
- Florida to Restore Felon Voting Rights>>
- Study Finds that California's Proposition 36 Saves Money >>
- Center for Children of Incarcerated Parents Training Institute >>
- Department of Labor Workforce Development Grants >>
- New Jersey Update: Outgoing State Parole Board Chairman to Speak on Parole Reform>> Department of Corrections and State Parole Board Budget Hearings>>
House Judiciary Committee Passes Second Chance Act
Just a week after the reintroduction of the bill, on March 28 members of the House Judiciary Committee passed H.R. 1593, the Second Chance Act of 2007. The bill has been sent to the House floor for consideration, which sponsors say will take place in mid-April. The Second Chance Act would authorize a $65 million reentry grant program administered through the Department of Justice for state and county reentry initiatives and a $15 million reentry program for community and faith-based organizations to deliver mentoring and transitional services.
Click here for more information on the Second Chance Act
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Florida to Restore Felon Voting Rights
In Florida, most individuals with felony convictions will have their voting rights automatically restored under a rule approved on April 5 by Republican Governor Charlie Crist and the state’s clemency board. In addition to voting, the measure will also restore the rights to serve on a jury, run for public office, and apply for previously barred professional licenses. All but the most violent felons would avoid the need to get on a long list for a hearing before the board in order to have their rights restored, which can take years. Per the provisions of Crist’s plan, murderers and other violent felons would still be required to go before the clemency board for a hearing or be subject to other review. According to the ACLU, 950,000 Florida residents are currently disenfranchised.
Study Finds that California's Proposition 36 Saves Money
According to a new study conducted by researchers at UCLA’s School of Medicine, California taxpayers save nearly $2.50 for every dollar invested in substance abuse treatment for nonviolent drug offenders eligible under the state’s Substance Abuse and Crime Prevention Act of 2000 (SACPA), or Proposition 36. Over a 30-month follow-up period, this represented a savings to state and local government of $173.3 million for those entering SACPA during its first year.
Learn more about Proposition 36
Center for Children of Incarcerated Parents Training Institute
The 15th National Training Institute of the Center for Children of Incarcerated Parents will be held April 26-28 at the Western Justice Center in Pasadena, California. The 20-hour Institute will provide training and expertise to help inform the design of services for children and families of incarcerated individuals. The lead trainer will be Denise Johnston, M.D., founding director of the Center. Scholarships are available for formerly incarcerated individuals and children of incarcerated or formerly incarcerated individuals.
Click here for more information and registration details
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Department of Labor Workforce Development Grants
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration has released guidelines for its Grassroots Grant program, which will provide $3.6 million for faith-based and community organizations to help members of hard-to-serve populations prepare for employment. Applicant organizations should provide services that focus on people who face major hurdles to employment, including welfare recipients, homeless individuals, and ex-offenders. Grantees will be expected to provide personalized care and supportive services, such as mentoring or life skills coaching, to enable individuals to use the services of local One-Stop Career Centers. The grants will be $60,000 each; the application deadline is May 8.
Click here for more information and application guidelines
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NEW JERSEY UPDATE:
Outgoing State Parole Board Chairman to Speak on Parole Reform
John D’Amico Jr., outgoing Chairman of the State Parole Board, will deliver a presentation, “Parole Reform: Is New Jersey Meeting the Challenge?,” on April 16 at 2:00pm at Brookdale Community College. The event, to be held in Room 105 of the MAN building, is free and open to the public.
Department of Corrections and State Parole Board Budget Hearings
The Assembly Budget Committee held its Department of Corrections (DOC) hearing on March 22 and the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee will hold its DOC hearing on April 30. The Assembly Budget Committee will hold its State Parole Board (SPB) hearing on April 19 and the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee will hold its SPB hearing on April 30.
Download audio recording of the Assembly Budget Committee DOC hearing
Download schedules of upcoming Assembly and Senate DOC and SPB hearings
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