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
- Census Bureau Balks at Call to Revise Prison Inmate Counting Method
- Symposium: "Law and Adolescence: Legal Status, Rights and Responsibilities of Adolescents in the Child Welfare, and Juvenile and Criminal Justice Systems"
- Justice System Costly for People with Criminal Convictions
- New Resource: Monthly ReentryNet Reentry Calendar
- Funding: "Life Skills for State and Local Prisoners Program" from the U.S. Department of Education
- New Report from Vera: "Good Practices for Federal Panel Attorney Programs in the U.S. Courts of Appeals
- National Criminal Justice Service Spotlights Women and Girls in the Criminal Justice System
New Jersey Update:
- New Jersey Advocates Seek Tax Increase for Drug Treatment
- Final Report of the Motor Vehicles Affordability and Fairness Task Report Released and Forwarded to the Governor and Legislature
- Demonstration Project in Essex County Helps to Restore Drivers Licenses to Some People with Suspensions
- Job Opportunities Available at The New Jersey Institute for Social Justice
Census Bureau Balks at Call to Revise Prison Inmate Counting Method
A federal appropriations bill passed in November directed the U.S. Census Bureau to study the manner in which it counts people in prison when conducting its population survey. People in prison are counted as residents of their institution of confinement, rather than at their pre-incarceration address. This counting method has an impact on the apportionment of federal and state resources and on political districting. In their report released on Feb. 21, the Census Bureau raised questions about ensuring accuracy of a new counting scheme and about and the costs of changing their current methodology.
- » Download the Census report
- » Read the Boston Globe article
- » Read "Why the Census Bureau Can and Must Start Collecting the Home Addresses of Incarcerated People"
Symposium: "Law and Adolescence: Legal Status, Rights and Responsibilities of Adolescents in the Child Welfare, and Juvenile and Criminal Justice Systems"
The symposium "Law and Adolescence: Legal Status, Rights and Responsibilities of Adolescents in the Child Welfare, Juvenile and Criminal Justice Systems", sponsored by the Juvenile Law Center, will take place March 17 - 18 at Temple University Beasley School of Law (Klein Hall, 1719 North Broad Street). Panel discussions will cover a wide range of issues facing the child welfare, juvenile and criminal justice systems.
Justice System Costly for People with Criminal Convictions
People convicted of crimes ranging from drug offenses to violent felonies are hit with a wide array of fees stemming from their involvement with the criminal justice system, according to the New York Times. Critics contend that the fees are a backdoor way around the Constitutional right to free legal representation for the indigent, and often hit hardest those who can least afford paying: people exiting prison or jail.
New Resource: Monthly ReentryNet Reentry Calendar
The monthly Reentry Net/NY calendar is a new resource that provides New York State advocates with information about upcoming conferences, trainings, meetings, and other events related to prison and jail reentry and the consequences of criminal proceedings. The calendar includes events geared to different sectors of the advocate community: social services, criminal defense, civil legal services, and policy reform advocates.
Funding: "Life Skills for State and Local Prisoners Program" from the U.S. Department of Education
The "Life Skills for State and Local Prisoners Program" is a competitive grant program of the Department of Education funding demonstration instructional programs in State and local adult correctional settings. This program was funded up through fiscal year 2005. Funds appropriated in 2005 are available and are funding a grant competition for projects extending for up to 18 months. The application packet will be posted soon to the Department website. Please note the closing date for the submission of applications, April 3, 2006. [National Hire Network]
New Report from Vera: "Good Practices for Federal Panel Attorney Programs in the U.S. Courts of Appeals
The Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts has been working to assist the federal trial and appellate courts improve defense practices for criminal defendants who cannot afford to retain counsel. As part of this effort, the Administrative Office asked Vera to study how the nation's twelve Circuit Courts of Appeals select, manage, and compensate the private attorneys who accept assigned counsel appointments. Vera's study led to a report identifying good practices in these areas.
National Criminal Justice Service Spotlights Women and Girls in the Criminal Justice System
Although the number of incarcerated women remains much lower than those for men, women represent a growing percentage of incarcerated people and those on probation and parole. An examination by the National Criminal Justice Service highlights many unique issues for women that need to be addressed throughout the criminal justice system. [OSI Justice News]
- » Go to the NCJS website for facts, statistics and other information
- » Download "Caught in the Net: The Impact of Drug Laws on Women and Families"
- » Read NY Times article "Prisons Often Shackle Pregnant Inmates in Labor"
New Jersey Update:
New Jersey Advocates Seek Tax Increase for Drug Treatment
Addiction treatment advocates in New Jersey are calling on lawmakers to increase alcohol taxes by five cents to raise up to $10 million annually for addiction treatment and prevention.
Final Report of the Motor Vehicles Affordability and Fairness Task Report Released and Forwarded to the Governor and Legislature
On February 27, the task force charged with examining the economic consequences of driver's license suspension issued a report providing extensive analysis of the issue and recommendations to improve the system, including steps to allow courts/MVC to waive penalties and fees, consideration of a restricted use license, and significant reevaluation of the insurance surcharge system. The diverse task force was chaired by Motor Vehicle Commission chair Sharon Harrington and includes members of the public, other public agency representatives, the Administrative Office of the Courts, and was created as part of the FIX DMV Commission. The legislature may take action.
Demonstration Project in Essex County Helps to Restore Drivers Licenses to Some People with Suspensions
The Essex License Reinstatement Program is designed to help restore suspended driver's licenses for those with fines and penalties in Essex County courts. The goal of the program is to remove some license suspensions that create a barrier to employment. Please read flyer carefully for eligibility criteria.
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 attached 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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