The New Jersey Institute for Social Justice is a non-partisan urban research and advocacy organization founded in 1999 by the Amy and Alan V. Lowenstein Foundation. Based in Newark, the Institute promotes the development of economically healthy and vibrant urban communities and challenges practices and policies that prevent urban New Jersey from achieving its full potential.
Click here for more info on the Institute's Reentry Initiative, as well as its other programs and publications: www.njisj.org
New Jersey Prisoner Reentry Fact Sheet
The New Jersey Institute
For Social Justice, Inc.
IN THIS ISSUE
- Sentencing Symposium on April 14th, hosted by Rutgers-Newark
- New Report: An Urban Institute Study Examines the Impact of Parole Supervision on Rearrest Outcomes
- Prisoner Reentry Grants: DOL announces $19.8 million in Funding for Faith-Based and Community Organizations
- Upcoming Conference: HIV and Prisoner Reentry on April 22nd, Harlem, NY
- Legislative Spotlight: Maryland's New Bill Expands Food Stamp Eligibility for Individuals with Drug Convictions
Upcoming Conference:
Sentencing Symposium at Rutgers-Newark
Rutgers University School of Criminal Justice and School of Law are hosting a Sentencing Symposium on
April 14, 2005. The Symposium will feature Marc Mauer of The Sentencing Project as a
keynote speaker on "Sense and Sentencing: Seeking Justice in a Time of Change."
Panel discussions featuring Rutgers faculty and New Jersey policymakers include "The
Costs and Benefits of Incarceration" and "From Apprendi to Blakely to Natale."
The Symposium will take place from 1:00-5:00 p.m. at Rutgers, 123 Washington St., Newark, and
is free of charge. .
New Report!
A New Study by the Urban Institute Examines the Impact of Parole Supervision on Rearrest Outcomes
A multi-state study entitled "Does Parole Work? Analyzing the Impact of Postprison Supervision
on Rearrest Outcomes" compares the arrest rates of former prisoners released under parole
supervision with that of their unsupervised counterparts, and concludes that parole has little
impact on recidivism for certain classes of offenders. Responders suggest that, despite its somewhat
misleading title, the report reiterates what parole experts have recognized for some time - that
"parole must balance treatment, surveillance, and enforcement to work with offenders, their
families and community providers to more effectively reduce recidivism." A vigorous discussion
of reentry program trends, including contemporary parole practices and state-level variations
(not analyzed in the report) are likely to follow.
Prisoner Reentry Grants: Department of Labor Announces $19.8 Million in Funding for Faith-Based and Community Organizations
The federal Prisoner Reentry Initiative seeks to strengthen urban communities characterized by large numbers
of returning prisoners through an employment-centered program that incorporates mentoring, job training,
and other comprehensive transitional services. The Department of Labor will award grants to faith-based and
community organizations to carry out the demonstration, followed by competitive grants to state agencies to
provide pre-release services to communities served by the DOL grants. The closing date for receipt of
applications under this announcement is July 13, 2005.
HIV and Prisoner Re-Entry Conference on April 22nd
The Central Harlem HIV Care Network will host a one-day conference addressing prisoner
reentry and HIV on April 22, 2005 at the Alhambra Ballroom, located at
2116 Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Blvd. in New York City. Please register by April 15th, as
space is limited.
Legislative Spotlight: Maryland's New Bill Expands Food Stamp Eligibility for Individuals with Drug Convictions
On March 29, Maryland's State Senate passed SB 463, a bill which will extend food stamp eligibility
to all persons convicted of drug felonies who are otherwise qualified for assistance. Under the
federal food stamp program, individuals convicted of felony possession, use, or distribution of
a controlled dangerous substance are ineligible to receive food stamps unless the state has opted
out of this requirement. Maryland opted out for custodial parents living with their children, but
not for adults without children. This bill would extend eligibility for food stamps - but not for
Temporary Cash Assistance - to adults not living with children. SB 463 is expected to be signed by
the governor, and would take effect on October 1, 2005.
New Jersey LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Upcoming Senate Budget Hearings
Corrections: April 18th at 2:00 pm, Committee Room 4, 1st Floor, State House Annex, Trenton, NJ
Parole: May 3rd at 10:00 am, Committee Room 11, 4th Floor, State House Annex, Trenton, NJ
Hearings are open to the public. To offer testimony you must register at (609) 292-8030. Dates for public hearings often change, so check the status of hearings as you approach the scheduled date.
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For further information about news or event sharing contact Ann Cammett at ReentryListserv@njisj.org.