Update – Criminal Justice Reform Task Force report

 

After a very quiet two months at the end of 2016, there was some movement on important legislation in January.  Members of UULMNJ received Action Alerts asking them to contact their legislators on three bills, including:

 

• A bill to require racial and ethnic impact statements is awaiting Assembly action, as it passed the Senate in 2016. UULMNJ and other justice advocates around the state are in favor of this bill as it will force lawmakers’ attention to the impact that new laws and regulations will have on minority communities.

 

• A bill to reform the NJ parole system was scheduled for a floor vote in the Assembly on Feb. 9, but was postponed due to snow. This bill, which has passed the Senate, makes many positive changes to parole practices in the state, including requiring DOC to develop inmate reentry plans.   It was rescheduled for a floor vote on February 15.

 

For information these or any pending legislation affecting criminal justice reform, contact Susan MacDonnell, UUCP member and Chair of the CJR Task Force.  The Task Force is open to everyone, and we have a conference call monthly to discuss priorities and actions on important legislation.

 

Read this sobering take on Mass Incarceration under a Trump administration