Election Week Beyond the Presidency
Dear Friends,
Has anyone else been glued to the television? I’ve been sitting in the same spot for so long that there are imprints in the couch. Cross-eyed and exhausted, I’m stress-eating chips and cookies and, well, you get the idea.
Although all eyes are on the election returns, I thought it was worth taking a quick look at other initiatives that were on the ballot this past Tuesday. You can read my thoughts about what happened in the criminal justice arena in “Criminal Justice Wins the Election.”
It also is worth noting that in New Jersey a plan to reduce the state’s jails and prisons by about 35% was quietly rolled out on November 4th – the day after the election – with little fanfare and even less attention. On Wednesday, the State of New Jersey released over 2000 people and another roughly 1000 people from state supervision. I’ve written before about the dangers of COVID spread in prisons and jails – and that we need to do more to decrease prison populations to avoid the risk of virus spread behind bars and in the community-at-large. New Jersey had one of the highest prison death rates in the country from COVID; a plan to decrease prison populations given the raging pandemic is a welcome one.
This week, I had a chance to talk with Tracey Tully, a reporter from the New York Times, about the implementation of New Jersey’s decarceration plan. In our conversation, I expressed concern about releasing so many people “because of the pandemic, into the pandemic” without also increasing supports to ensure a successful reentry to society. You can read the whole article, including my comments, at https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/04/nyregion/nj-prisoner-release-covid.html.
In the meantime, I’m delighted to invite you to several upcoming events that you might find of interest. All are free and open to the public, but advance registration is requested:
- On Wednesday, November 11th from 6-7 pm, I’m honored to be the first speaker at the Social Justice Lecture Series at Montclair State University, where I’ll be talking about wrongful convictions. Please join us by following this link: https://montclair.zoom.us/j/89791459446
- On Saturday, November 14th, at around 11:15 am, I’ll be discussing social justice and my book, Smoke but No Fire: Convicting the Innocent of Crimes that Never Happened at the Kaplan Minyan at Montlcair’s very own B’Nai Keshet.
- On December 8th at 2pm PST/5pm EST. you are invited to a rescheduled presentation about Smoke but No Fire at the Newkirk Center for Science and Society at the University of California at Irvine. Our first presentation was canceled because there was actual smoke – and actual fire – from the wildfires that were burning all around Irvine. As you may know, California was devastated by fires this year – and there are many organizations, such as the California Community Foundation Wildlife Relief Fund, who could use your support as they try to provide assistance to people who lost everything.
Here’s hoping that 270 is finally reached, that the election is called for Biden, and that democracy will be saved from the clutches of a despot who doesn’t seem to understand that whoever gets the most votes, wins.
I leave you with this amazing and amusing video as we continue to track the voting results.
Thank you as always for all that you do.
Stay safe and well,
Jessica