NEWARK, NJ – New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy on Wednesday announced a new clemency initiative that he says will reform the state’s criminal justice system.
Murphy said the state is reaching an important milestone in the way it handles clemency requests.
Certain people are given priority, including:
- Victims of domestic or sexual violence or sex trafficking who are in prison for a crime against the perpetrator
- People with certain non-violent convictions who have remained out of the justice system for a certain period of time
- Those serving sentences “reflecting excessive punishment”
The state will establish a Clemency Advisory Board to review each application and make recommendations to the governor.
“Historically, receiving a pardon or commuting your sentence here in New Jersey has not been a matter of fairness or objectivity. It was a matter of who you knew or how well connected you were to those in power,” Murphy said. “With the executive order I am signing today, we are changing that…a thoughtful and fair approach to New Jerseyans who deserve a second chance.”
These are the first members of the Clemency Advisory Board:
- Chair: Justin Dews, advisor at King & Spalding
- Designated Attorney General: Michael Zuckerman, Deputy Solicitor General
- Public member: Jessica Henry, professor of justice studies at Montclair State University
- Public member: Bishop Joshua Rodriguez, bishop and founder of Cityline Church and Police Chaplin at the Jersey City Police Department
- Public member: JoEllyn Jones, founder and partner at Jones & Ortiz PA
- Public member: Ed Neafsey, adjunct professor at Rutgers Law School – Newark
The state has set up a website with more information about the program.
Murphy signed the executive order at St. James AME Church in Newark.
Rapper Meek Mill attended the event. He has spoken out in favor of criminal justice reform across the country.
