Decarceration

The ACLU-NJ has made significant progress in decarcerating the Garden State, having been instrumental in New Jersey’s groundbreaking elimination of cash bail and in advocating for the early release of thousands of people nearing the end of prison sentences during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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The human and financial costs of mass incarceration are staggering, and the burden falls disproportionately on people of color and low-income people. New Jersey has the worst Black-white disparity in incarceration of any state in the country, which makes the need for decarceration even more urgent.

The ACLU-NJ has made significant progress in decarcerating the Garden State, having been instrumental in New Jersey’s groundbreaking elimination of cash bail and in advocating for the early release of thousands of people nearing the end of prison sentences during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Latest

Press Release
Press Release ACLU of New Jersey

ACLU-NJ Celebrates Fourth Round of Releases Under The Clemency Project

The ACLU of New Jersey celebrates Governor Murphy’s announcement today of 36 pardons and 19 commutations as part of his commitment to categorical clemency.
News & Commentary
open prison doors

The Corrections Ombudsperson Office is a Critical Resource to Expose Deplorable Prison Conditions in New Jersey

New Jersey State Prison (NJSP), the oldest operating prison in the United States, has been condemned for over a century. Advocacy groups have called for its closure since 1917 because of its outdated facilities and inhumane conditions.
News & Commentary
People's Agenda

Lawmakers Can Ensure a Fairer New Jersey During Lame Duck

Lame duck is an opportunity for lawmakers to build a fairer, more equitable future for all New Jerseyans. The ACLU-NJ calls on the Legislature to prioritize these key issues and bills ahead of the Sherrill administration.
Press Release
Press Release ACLU of New Jersey

ACLU-NJ Celebrates Third Round of Releases Under The Clemency Project

The ACLU of New Jersey today celebrates Governor Murphy’s announcement of eight commutations under the organization's Clemency Project, an initiative to encourage the use of categorical clemency to examine holistic injustices that have impacted groups of people and consider relief for each person within the identified class.
Court Case
Mar 21, 2022

United States v. Lewis

Amicus brief addressing whether prior convictions for possession of substances controlled under state, but not federal, law can serve as enhancements under federal sentencing law.
Court Case
Feb 14, 2022

State v. Mackroy-Davis

Amicus brief addressing the how delays caused by COVID-19 impact the speedy trial provisions of the Criminal Justice Reform Act.
Court Case
Feb 11, 2022

State v. F.E.D.

Amicus brief addressing New Jersey’s compassionate release statute.
Court Case
May 15, 2020

Wragg, et al. v. Ortiz, et al.

Federal habeas class action on behalf of people confined at FCI Fort Dix who are especially vulnerable to COVID-19.