Dear Friends,
I am truly humbled and honored to share that the Governor has appointed me to his Clemency Advisory Board, which will review clemency petitions and provide guidance to the Governor in support of his Clemency Initiative.
While Juneteenth marks a date of freedom and emancipation, it also casts a light on the ongoing struggle for justice. NJ Governor Murphy chose today to launch his Clemency Initiative in recognition of that struggle — and to announce a new vision for correcting existing injustices.
In addition to his general clemency power to pardon or commute sentences, the Governor shared today his commitment to categorical clemency, through which he will employ his clemency powers for certain categories of people who should no longer suffer the significant burdens imposed by the criminal legal system.
I can’t wait to assist the Governor in providing second chances to people whose continued incarceration is unnecessary and often counterproductive. If you or someone you know could benefit from this Clemency Initiative, please visit nj.gov/clemency.
June has been an extraordinary month for second chances in many respects.
On June 3rd, the first ever Second Chance New Jersey Conference was held at Montclair State University. It was a day of inspiration, where policy makers, people who are formerly incarcerated, survivors of violence, and advocates came together to make the case for a pending New Jersey second look bill that would provide the elderly and incarcerated a pathway to release. The eloquent and heart-wrenching stories shared by people with lived experience in the criminal legal system demonstrated the urgent need for reform now, and the important role that second chances can play.
In anticipation of the conference, I wrote this op-ed piece, explaining why second look laws for the elderly in prison make good sense. You can also learn more at Second Look New Jersey, a coalition that was essential in organizing and supporting the conference, and who are helping lead the fight for second look laws in my beautiful home state.
I hope you’ll take a moment to contact your state legislators to express your support for bills S2338 and A4463. Our elders in prison desperately need an opportunity for a second look.
I also had the chance to participate in the Second Look Network Conference in Tulsa, Oklahoma, hosted by the Second Look Network of the Sentencing Project.
In Tulsa, I met people doing exceptional things to reduce mass incarceration. like the team from the Illinois Prison Project, who work to get people out of prison, or the good folks from the Medical Justice Alliance, who advocate for medical assistance to incarcerated people who are sick and have no meaningful access to health care.
Most of all, I listened and learned from people who had spent years — sometimes decades — in prison before receiving a second chance. People like Johnnie Veal, featured in Ben Austen’s excellent new book, Correction, who spent 51 years in prison before finally being released. The powerful voices of the formerly incarcerated need to be amplified — they embody the axiom that we are all more than the worst thing we have ever done.
Let’s continue to work together toward a vision of freedom for all. Happy Juneteenth, and thanks for all that you do.
Take good care,
Jessica