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
Previous Editions of the
NJ Reentry Digest:
NJ Reentry Digest:
The New Jersey Institute
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IN THIS ISSUE
- New American Bar Association Policy on Deportation as a Result of Conviction
- Update: HR 1704, The Second Chance Act, Reported out of House Subcommittee
- Federal Aid to Some Students with Drug Convictions is Restored
- New Resource: Available for Advocates Addressing Mental Illness in the Criminal Justice System
- New Justice Strategies Report: Treatment Instead of Prisons: A Roadmap for Sentencing and Correctional Policy in Wisconsin
- Reminder: The Prisoner Reentry Institute at John Jay College Will Host Former Chief Inspector of Prisons for the United Kingdom on March 2
New Jersey Update:
- NJ Assembly Regulatory Oversight Committee Holds Hearings on Parole
- The New Jersey State Office of Faith Based Initiatives Announces RFP
- Job Opportunities Available at The New Jersey Institute for Social Justice
New American Bar Association Policy on Deportation as a Result of Conviction
On February 14th, the American Bar Association adopted a new policy on deportation/removal as a consequence of conviction. The new policy, which was developed in the Criminal Justice Section and submitted to the House jointly with the Commission on Immigration, makes recommendations to restore authority to state and federal sentencing courts to waive a non-citizen's deportation or removal based on conviction of a crime.
Update: HR 1704, The Second Chance Act, Reported out of House Subcommittee
On February 15, 2005 the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security voted on H.R. 1704, the Second Chance Act. The legislation was reported favorably by the Subcommittee, clearing it for the consideration of the full House Judiciary Committee. The Second Chance Act allocates $110 million towards a variety of re-entry programs. One of the main components of the bill is the funding of demonstration projects that would provide ex-offenders with a coordinated continuum of housing, education, health, employment, and mentoring services.
Federal Aid to Some Students with Drug Convictions is Restored
Thousands of students with drug convictions will be eligible for federal financial aid to students. A provision in the budget bill signed into law by President Bush will help people with drug convictions regain eligibility for federal student financial aid, which has been denied since 1998. Under the new law, people can receive aid unless they are convicted of a drug felony or misdemeanor while in school. The amendment takes effect on July 1st, 2006.
- » For more information
- » House of Representatives holds hearings on prisoner reentry and substance abuse
New Resource: Available for Advocates Addressing Mental Illness in the Criminal Justice System
The Criminal Justice / Mental Health Consensus Project has released a new resource for advocates addressing the increasing numbers of people with mental illness involved in the criminal justice system - "The Advocacy Handbook: A Guide for Implementing Recommendations of the Criminal Justice / Mental Health Consensus Project." It is designed to show advocates how to implement recommendations from the landmark Criminal Justice / Mental Health Consensus Project Report, released in 2002 by the Consensus Project.
New Justice Strategies Report: Treatment Instead of Prisons: A Roadmap for Sentencing and Correctional Policy in Wisconsin
A new Justice Strategies report finds that by fully funding treatment alternatives to incarceration and supporting innovative local programs, Wisconsin policymakers could generate savings of four dollars for each dollar invested while achieving significant reductions in recidivism and substance abuse. The report contains findings from analysis of DOC data, judicial focus groups and extensive interviews with state and local officials."
The Prisoner Reentry Institute at John Jay College Will Host Former Chief Inspector of Prisons for the United Kingdom on March 2
President Jeremy Travis and the Prisoner Reentry Institute at John Jay College of Criminal Justice invite you to a special presentation by Lord David Rasmbotham, the Former Chief Inspector of Prisons for the United Kingdom, who will present "The Importance of Independent Inspection in the Effective Conduct of Imprisonment: The Lens from the United Kingdom." The event will take place on Thursday, March 2 from 8:30 am to 10:00 am at the BMW Building of John Jay College (555 W. 57th Street, between 10th and 11th Avenues, Room 615-616). Please RSVP to Debbie Mukamal (dmukamal@jjay.cuny.edu; 212 484 1327).
NJ Assembly Regulatory Oversight Committee Holds Hearings on Parole
On January 26 the Assembly Regulatory Oversight Committee held a hearing to get an overview of the procedures of the New Jersey Parole Board, particularly the timely release of prisoners to parole supervision. The State Parole Board chairman recommended more than a dozen reentry reforms that he says will reduce incarceration and save the state as much as $162 million.
The New Jersey State Office of Faith Based Initiatives Announces RFP
The New Jersey Department of State Office of Faith Based Initiatives announces the release of a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Project ATLAS, a Substance Abuse Recovery Support Service Funding Opportunity. Proposals are due on March 10, but a mandatory technical assistance session will be held on February 17, 2006 at the Trenton War Memorial. RSVP by February 15, 2006 call 609-943-4840 or email fbased@sos.state.nj.us
Job Opportunities Available at the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice:
- Seeking An Experienced Public Interest Attorney
Thanks to a generous long-term gift, the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice is looking to expand its legal department by hiring an experienced public interest attorney. This exciting opportunity to help build the Institute's legal capacity and expand the Institute's innovative approach to addressing urban issues is described more fully in the online job announcement.
- Seeking An Experienced Senior Case Manager and a Project Associate for the "New Careers" Project
As part of its new startup Newark-based demonstration employment initiative for people returning to Essex County from state and federal prisons, NJISJ is seeking an experienced case manager (MSW, LCSW, or graduate degree in human behavior, rehabilitation or human services) with excellent clinical and case management skills; and a skilled Project Associate to work closely with the Project Director to coordinate schedules, logistics, operations, and interact with participants, families, and community members.
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