WE DID IT!! Isolated/Solitary Confinement as we know it in NJ and across the U.S. has been fundamentally changed for the better.
Real human lives will be directly affected. Many, many people will now have an increased chance of returning to their families and neighborhoods without the additional trauma of isolated confinement added to their list of struggles to overcome.
It feels very, very good to be able to write those words.
At long last, one of the most progressive and far reaching reforms in the nation of our far-too-punitive penal system was signed into law yesterday, July 11th, by Gov. Murphy.
Isolated/solitary confinement, while not banned outright, now comes with safeguards and oversight that will–with our continued monitoring and advocacy–end the worst kinds of abuse and outright torture too long practiced in the jails and prisons of NJ.
This is a special love letter. It is for all of you who have worked so long and so hard over many years (since at least 2013/2014 during the Christie administration) to help make this historic moment possible.
A special shout out to the chair of our Criminal Justice Task Force, Susan MacDonnell (UU Princeton) and “special UU envoy” to NJ CAIC, Tricia Idrobo (Beacon UU Summit) as well as to my predecessor in this post, Rev. Craig Hirshberg. Without their willingness to write many emails, and attend many rallies and meetings, UUs across NJ would never have been such an integral part of this important victory.
“Remember to celebrate milestones as you prepare for the road ahead.” (Nelson Mandela)
May this recent milestone be just one of many such beacons of light to come.
In faith, with love, for justice,
Susan MacDonnell and Tricia Idrobo, Criminal Justice Task Force and Rev. Rob Gregson, UU FA NJ