Second Changes, Jersey Style
April is Second Chance Month, an idea that we take seriously in my home state of New Jersey. On Tuesday, April 8th, NJ Governor Phil Murphy announced his second round of clemency grants under his Clemency Initiative. Ninety-three people received clemency yesterday — and 93 lives were forever changed. Along with the other members of the Clemency […]
Justice Heros
Dear Friends, I know we are all reeling from the daily barrage of bad news, designed to distract and overwhelm us from the devastation that this administration is causing, both here and abroad. But many of you reading this refuse to be cowed. You are engaged in acts of daily resistance. Maybe you’ve called your representatives. Maybe you […]
Clemency, New Podcast Episodes and LA Fires
Dear Friends, Last year ended on an impossibly high note, when New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy announced the first of his clemency grants. He commuted the prison terms of three women who had served decades behind bars and are now finally home with their families and communities. He also pardoned 33 others. I am deeply honored to […]
Take Action for Justice
Dear Friends, This year, instead of my annual criminal justice wish list, I’ve made a criminal justice action plan. Join me in donating, signing petitions, or sending books and holiday cards. There are many ways to make a difference. 1. Support the Innocent and Exonerated Far too many innocent people are released from prison with nothing […]
Election Musings and Presidential Pardon Power
Dear Friends, Tuesday is election day. You know what’s at stake. Democracy, decency, free speech, censorship, fairness, women’s reproductive rights, health care, freedom, historical accuracy — it’s all on the line. So is justice. Consider the death penalty. Trump is aggressively pro-death penalty. When he was president, he revived the federal death penalty after a […]
To Honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Abolish the Death Penalty
This Monday, Americans will celebrate the legacy of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. through acts of service. To truly honor him, we should call for an end to capital punishment. The Death Penalty is Racist In 1958, Dr. King led a protest in Alabama over the execution of a black 16-year-old child convicted […]
2023 Wishlist: Criminal Justice with Dignity
My wishlist this year highlights my belief that people are far more than the worst thing they’ve ever done. I truly believe that people can do great harm and, also, that people can be transformed. I believe that our criminal legal system can hold people accountable and still recognize their humanity. Everything on this list […]
Crime Is on the Ballot – and Voters are Choosing Whether Prosecutors with Reform Agendas are the Ones Who Can Best Bring Law, Order and Justice
*Originally published in The Conversation 10/27/22. Different approaches to justice are on the ballot in November 2022 in some public prosecutor and Congressional elections around the country, revealing a deep divide about how differently Americans feel about crime and its consequences. Many Republican Congressional and prosecutor candidates are focusing their electoral messages on crime, accusing Democrats of […]
Progressive Prosecutors Make a Difference for the Innocent
*Originally published in Medium’s Age of Awareness 10/16/22. This November, voters around the country will engage in local elections with significant criminal justice impact. Nowhere is that more apparent than local prosecutor races. Progressive prosecutors offer fresh and innovative crime-control approaches to a criminal legal system that disparately — and often unnecessarily — impacts the […]
Criminal Justice Reform in 2022
It’s time for my annual end-of-the-year criminal justice reform wish list. This year I’m including specific action steps you can take, and I’m highlighting organizations that you might be interested in supporting. Together, we can promote a better vision of what justice could be in 2022. Here’s to 2022! May it be a year of […]