To: The New Jersey State House, The New Jersey State Senate, and Governor Phil Murphy
New Jersey For Criminal Justice Reform
In the US, we know that people of color, particularly black, brown, and Native Americans, are disproportionately incarcerated compared to white individuals. NJ is one of the most diverse states in the nation, yet has incredibly high levels of inequity and injustice when it comes to our criminal justice system. We at Our Revolution Essex County NJ are fighting to change that!
In NJ,
• African Americans make up less than 15% of the population but account for more than 60% of the state prison population;
• As compared to their white counterparts, the rate of black to white incarceration is 12 to 1, the HIGHEST in the nation (the national rate is 5 to 1); and
• Black youth are over 20 times more likely to be incarcerated and placed into a secure facility than their white counterparts.
We are calling on the NJ legislative body to enact the following policies:
1) End the decriminalization of marijuana, legalize it, and expunge the records of those convicted for possession/use of marijuana.
2) Proactively release findings of police misconduct.
3) Restore the ability for incarcerated individuals to vote while in prison, not after their probationary sentence that can last months after release.
4) End the practice of private prisons in the state.
5) End the use of tax payer dollars that fund or partner with ICE detention centers/agencies.
6) Commit to increasing funds for programs and education aimed at reducing the rates of recidivism in the state.
In NJ,
• African Americans make up less than 15% of the population but account for more than 60% of the state prison population;
• As compared to their white counterparts, the rate of black to white incarceration is 12 to 1, the HIGHEST in the nation (the national rate is 5 to 1); and
• Black youth are over 20 times more likely to be incarcerated and placed into a secure facility than their white counterparts.
We are calling on the NJ legislative body to enact the following policies:
1) End the decriminalization of marijuana, legalize it, and expunge the records of those convicted for possession/use of marijuana.
2) Proactively release findings of police misconduct.
3) Restore the ability for incarcerated individuals to vote while in prison, not after their probationary sentence that can last months after release.
4) End the practice of private prisons in the state.
5) End the use of tax payer dollars that fund or partner with ICE detention centers/agencies.
6) Commit to increasing funds for programs and education aimed at reducing the rates of recidivism in the state.
Why is this important?
Our criminal justice system is broken. There is one system for the privileged and another system for people of color, the poor, and the disenfranchised. Too many lives are impacted by these discriminatory policies. This must change! We hope you will join us at Our Revolution Essex County NJ in this fight!
*1 should say end the criminalization*
*1 should say end the criminalization*