Category: Criminal Justice Reform

Attached are important Bail Reform materials for your use in educating everyone about the constitutional amendment, Question 1 that will be on the ballot Nov. 4 :

Ballot Question #1 Letter to Editor

UULMNJ Ballot Question #1 Fact Sheet

UULMNJ Ballot Question #1 Get Out the Vote Flyer

Please organize a major letter campaign to your local newspapers. Time is of the essence, and the way the question is worded, it would be easily misconstrued.

The UULMNJ board maintains its position as an education vehicle in election matters. However, even though we do not tell people how to vote, the educational materials do reflect our UU values.  Individuals may phrase their letters however they may choose as long as they don’t use the UULMNJ letterhead in letters advocating a particular vote.

Thank you all for your help and continued support.

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Question #1 is Critical to Enact Real Bail Reform in NJ!

At any given time up to 15,000 individuals in New Jersey jails are awaiting hearings on their cases.  More than half of these individuals are being held on charges for nonviolent offenses.  Many of them could be released on bail pending trial but lack the financial resources to pay the arbitrary bail amounts set by the current NJ bail schedule.  Over 40% of those held in county jails are there solely because of their inability to pay bail; and the average length of time that these men and women spend in jail is almost a year.  Suspects who pose no danger to the community are warehoused in jails for months, and even years, if they can’t afford often small amounts of money bail.  At the same time, the most dangerous suspects can be quickly released because they have access to financial resources.
This is a shocking failure of the justice system and creates problems far beyond confinement of people who have only been charged and not yet convicted of any crime.  Their confinement results in their being stigmatized for something they may be innocent of, it can lead to loss of their job when employers cannot hold their position open for months at a time, and it causes hardship for their family due to lengthy separation and loss of income.  Taxpayers are footing the bill– over $30,000 per year per individual– for incarcerating people who have been charged but not convicted of any crime.
However, change is on the horizon.  This past June, the state of New Jersey took a huge step forward when the Legislature passed, and the Governor signed, the Bail Reform Act.  This new law will encourage non-monetary release options, require arrestees to undergo a risk assessment before their initial bail hearing, and establish pretrial service agencies within each county to monitor and counsel those awaiting trial.
One crucial step remains — and that is to amend the New Jersey constitution to make this possible. The state Constitution currently requires that judges set bail for all crimes, including murder.  Ballot Question #1 will change the language in the State Constitution to allow judges discretion in whether or not to assign bail.  Without passage of the amendment, the newly enacted Bail Reform law will not be implemented.  Currently, individuals charged with violent crimes are assured pre-trial freedom so long as they have the money or connections to meet bail.  And poor individuals, often unable to raise even 10% of the bail amount, sit in jail for an average period of ten months pending trial on non-violent charges.
A Yes vote, allowing discretionary use of bail, will –

• Protect our communities by allowing judges to deny bail to suspects believed to be dangerous who pose a threat to public safety;
• Ensure a fairer & more effective criminal justice process for everyone regardless of wealth;
• Save millions of taxpayer dollars by reducing the overcrowded jail population;
• Implement critically needed comprehensive bail reform that will prioritize public safety, encourage fiscal responsibility & protect the rights of suspects, including guaranteed  timelines for a speedy trial.

A No vote, maintaining the current bail system, will –

• Prevent the extensive bail reform legislation that was passed by NJ legislators and signed by the governor this summer from going into effect;
• Continue the devastating effects of mass incarceration on individuals and their families in New Jersey;
• Allow the release of those deemed to be dangerous but able to post bail back into our communities.

Your vote will determine the fate of real bail reform in New Jersey.  Get out and vote on Nov. 4.

The month of October is a focus for activity to protest, educate and advocate for an end to this critical racial and social justice issue of our era.  There is still time to participate and join in.  Here are some of the activities planned by UUs and others.

• October 12 – Silent March for Lives Lost, 11AM;  Unitarian Society of Ridgewood, 113 Cottage Place, Ridgewood.
• October 13 – “Moral Monday Civil Disobedience Action” in solidarity with people of Ferguson; North Carolina NAACP; www.naacpnc.org.
• October 16 – Canvassing training for Bail Reform vote on Question #1 on election day, 6:30-8:30, Camden Bible Tabernacle, 823 Elm St., Camden.
• October 16 – Film “The House I Live In”, 7PM, the war on drugs and massincarceration; Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Palisades, 228 Grand Ave., Englewood.
• October 19 – Ed Barocas, legal Director of ACLU-NJ will speak at Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Montclair, 9 and 11AM, 67 Church St., Montclair.
• October 19 – Film “The House I Live In”, 12-2PM, UU Congregation of Princeton, 50 Cherry Hill Rd, Princeton.
• October 19 – Book discussion and sale, “The Divide, American Injustice in the Age of Wealth Gap” by Matt Taibbi; 12:15-2:15PM, UU Congregation of Princeton, 50 Cherry Hill,  Robinson Lounge.
• October 22 – Moral Monday National Day of Protest, New York City, 1:00PM,  march from Union Square to Times Square;
• October 22 – March & Rally, Montclair, 4-8PM, march from Church St. Plaza to UUCMontclair at 67 Church St.
• October 26 – Sunday Service in recognition of October Month of Resistance, 10:30-11:30AM, UUC of the Palisades, 228 Grand Avenue, Englewood.
• October 27 – Moral Monday in Trenton, Rally at the New Jersey State House, 12-2PM,  125 W. State Street; join UU Congregations of NJ – Say No More! Stop the Mass Incarceration of Our People!

Visit www.stopmassincarceration.org to learn more about this national movement.

[tt_vector icon=”fa-external-link”] http://www.northjersey.com/news/spreading-word-on-dangers-of-mass-incarceration-1.1033672

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UULMNJ Criminal Justice Reform: Ending the New Jim Crow Task Force,

ACTION AGENDA

Justice for Michael Brown & Criminal Justice Reform

Recent events in Ferguson, Missouri are exposing more than ever the continued oppression and killing of people of color by police and vigilantes and the injustice of a broken policing and criminal justice system.

Many varied religious, grassroots and advocacy groups across the country are responding with actions calling for justice and meaningful change.  A call for a national  “Month of Resistance to Mass Incarceration, Police Brutality, Repression and the Criminalization of a Generation” in October has been issued by the “Stop Mass Incarceration Network” (www.stopmassincarceration.org).  Some New Jersey UU Congregations have already planned responses to this call.

We believe that vigorous advocacy and educational activity is vital to create the basis for far reaching legislative change for social justice.  This is our way of Standing on the Side of Love and of our Unitarian Universalist faith.

There are many ways you can respond.  Here are a few:

• Have an October service on the New Jim Crow and the spiritual practice of action for social justice.
• Sponsor a film showing about criminal justice and mass incarceration such as “Broken on All Sides” or “The House I Live In”.
• Write a letter to the local paper expressing UU concerns on the issue.
• Initiate or join with other groups or faiths in local events.
• Participate in statewide events such as the ‘Moral Monday’ demonstration in Trenton (Oct. 27) and the rally at NJ State prison (Oct. 11) or the National Day of Protest on October 22.
• Light a candle during service for Michael Brown and the other victims of police and vigilante violence.
• WEAR ORANGE during October in solidarity with the victims of unjust and racist incarceration.  Be prepared to explain why to those that ask.
• What are your ideas? Share your ideas with everyone on our Facebook page or on Twitter @UULMNJ.

Task Force members are exchanging ideas and resource information.  If you wish to be part of this ‘Info Exchange’ please contact Susan MacDonnell at susmacdonn@gmail.com.

For further information on Task Force activity contact Al Stawsky, Chair, at alynways@gmail.com.

We are happy to report that the senate passed SCR128 (the vote was 30 – 0) along with an acceptable version of S946 (the vote was 28 – 5!  But our work is not over.

Our coalition partners are joining to pressure the Assembly to also act.  It’s extremely important that we continue to apply pressure on the Assembly Speaker to post an acceptable version of A1910 without delay.  The last day for real, comprehensive bail reform to pass is MONDAY, AUGUST 4.  Therefore, please call the Speaker’s office again per the instructions below:

Please express your excitement with the senate’s action today and encourage the assembly to follow suit.  Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto can be reached at 201-770-1303, please respectfully:

• Urge him to join his senate colleagues and pass historic bail reform in New Jersey.
• Encourage him to post the constitutional amendment (ACR177/SCR128) along with an acceptable version of the bill (A1910/S946) without further delay.
• Emphasize that an acceptable version of the bill would mean amending A1910 to mirror the latest version of S946.
• Explain that real bail reform removes money as the primary mechanism of pretrial release, requires the use of risk assessments on arrestees with higher level charges, authorizes the release of low-risk individuals under the least restrictive conditions possible, and permits the absolute detention of those who are truly dangerous.
• Reiterate your support for comprehensive bail reform which moves our broken bail system away from money towards pretrial decisions based on risk.
• Conclude your call by stating that you’re hopeful that he will do what’s in the best interest of public safety and justice.

When making the phone call, please:

• Ask to speak with the Assemblyman’s Chief of Staff or Legislative Aide.
• State your name, where in NJ you live and if applicable, the organization and/or congregation you represent.
  • If you, your organization and/or congregation are located in the Assemblyman’s district, please make sure to state that up front during your call.  The following municipalities are in his district: East Newark, Edgewater, Fairview, Guttenberg, Harrison (Hudson county), Kearny, North Bergen, Secaucus, and West New York.
• Please try to call during normal business hours, but if not, make sure to leave a detailed message.
• Follow-up your call with an email to the Speaker’s office detailing your discussion and reiterating your position urging him to take legislative action on bail reform.  Please send your email to AsmPrieto@njleg.org.

Please notify all of your friends, family and colleagues in New Jersey of this call to action so we can make the biggest impact possible!

Thank you for your help.

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Dear UUMNJ Family,

As you know, the month of June can become rather hectic as the legislature strives to complete passed legislation before its summer recess.  Bail reform is one of those pieces of legislation.  One of our coalition partners, Drug Policy Alliance, has asked for help.  Could you please make calls and send this out to anyone who is concerned about bail reform and mass incarceration and ask them to do the same.  Please read the information below thoroughly and call those indicated to voice both your support and concern.

Thanks,

Rev. Craig Hirshberg, Exec. Director
Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry of NJ
4 Waldron Ave.
Summit, NJ 07901
609.672.7331

 

In case you missed my email before the holiday weekend, we need your help to ensure real bail reform is achieved in Trenton.  As you know, the New Solutions Campaign coalition has been working diligently on bail reform legislation thatpromotes both safety and justice.  Now that we are only a few weeks away from the legislative summer recess, time is of essence and we need your help:

1)     As the legislature considers bail reform (as early as next week) and amends the final legislation, it’s extremely important we have a strong presence at the statehouse to ensure that our most vulnerable citizens don’t get left behind.  Please let me know ASAP if you’re available on June 5^th and June 12^th to come to Trenton to fight for real bail reform.  As usual, DPA staff is available to assist you with drafting testimony and helping you prepare for the hearing.

2)     It’s crucial that elected officials hear from New Jerseyans regarding how important real bail reform is to them!  Legislators need to know that we won’t accept “reform” that does nothing to improve fairness or public safety, disproportionately impacts minorities, and discriminates against poor people.  Per my instructions below, please take a few minutes to call members of the Senate Budget Committee (names and phone numbers listed below).

3)     We need to spread this call to action across the state so that we can make the biggest impact possible!  Please forward this email to your friends, family members, and colleagues in New Jersey.  If you are affiliated with an organization, please post this information to your website.  If you have a Facebook or Twitter account, please encourage advocacy on bail reform through social media.

CALL INSTRUCTIONS

The Senate Budget Committee is scheduled to meet on Thursday, June 5^th and there is a possibility that the bail reform legislation (S946/A1910) we have been advocating for will be considered.

Unfortunately, we have reason to believe that the version of “reform” under consideration does nothing to improve fairness or public safety, disproportionately impacts minorities, and discriminates against poor people.  It’s possible the bail bill could be amended to benefit the for-profit bail industry which will hurt our families and communities.  Therefore, we need to make sure the committee members support REAL bail reform and hear from us THIS WEEK. 

Real bail reform legislation requires three major components:

1)     Replace the current bail schedule with non-monetary release options

2)     Establish pretrial service units to supervise defendants who need supervision while on release pending trial

3)     Mandate use of a validated risk assessment instrument on all arrestees

Please contact the sponsor of the legislation and members of the budget committee to express your support for Real Bail Reform but your deep concerns with any amendments that would continue to prioritize resources over risk in our bail system. If you don’t have time to call all the members, please prioritize those italicized below.

1.     Senator Donald Norcross (Sponsor of bail bill): (856) 547-4800

2.     Senator Paul A. Sarlo (Senate Budget Chairman): (201) 804-8118

3.     Senator Sandra B. Cunningham: (201) 451-5100

4.     Senator Nellie Pou: (973) 247-1555

5.     Senator Brian P. Stack: (201) 721-5263

6.     Senator Peter J. Barnes: (732) 548-1406

7.     Senator Jennifer Beck: (732) 933-1591

8.     Senator Anthony R. Bucco: (973) 627-9700

9.     Senator Linda R. Greenstein: (609) 395-9911

10.  Senator Kevin J. O’Toole: (973) 237-1360

11.  Senator Steven V. Oroho: (973) 300-0200

12.  Senator M. Teresa Ruiz: (973) 484-1000

13.  Senator Samuel D. Thompson: (732) 607-7580

14.  Senator Jeff Van Drew: (609) 465-0700

Below my signature are some talking points and tips for making a call.  Once again, please forward this call to action to all your friends, family and colleagues in New Jersey!

This is your opportunity to go the extra mile and make sure we don’t leave New Jersey’s most vulnerable citizens behind!  Thank you for all that you do! 

Best,

Meagan

Meagan Glaser, MPAP |Deputy State Director, New Jersey
Drug Policy Alliance
16 West Front Street, Suite 101A | Trenton, NJ 08608
Voice: 609.396.8613 | Fax: 609.396.9478
www.drugpolicy.org
Think the drug war is doing more harm than good? Join us!

Tips on Making a Call

Most legislators’ staff answer their phones during the session and log all of the messages. The call will only take a minute!

• Be courteous, positive, and brief.
• Identify yourself and mention that you are a New Jersey resident
• Ask to speak with the legislators’ Legislative Aide or Chief of Staff if the legislator is unavailable
• Ask that the legislator support REAL bail reform and oppose any amendments to Senate Bill 946 that would prioritize resources over risk when the bill comes before them for a vote. 
• Leave a message if you are calling after business hours.

What to Say:

When the receptionist in the legislator’s office answers the phone, politely say something like: My name is [NAME], may I please speak with [LEGISLATOR’S NAME].  If the legislator isn’t available (which is most likely the case), politely ask to speak with his or her Legislative Aide or Chief of Staff.

When you get the appropriate person on the phone or when leaving a message (if none of these individuals are available), politely say something like: I’m calling to urge [LEGISLATOR’S NAME] to support real bail reform.  It’s important that they oppose any amendments that do nothing to improve public safety or fairness, disproportionately impact minorities, and discriminate against poor people.  New Jersey needs real bail reform not more of the same broken system.

Politely follow-up this statement with something like: Do you know where [LEGISLATOR’S NAME] stands on this issue?  I am hoping [LEGISLATOR’S NAME] will support real and comprehensive bail reform.

Talking points re real bail reform & possible amendments that would undermine S946/A1910

• Thousands of New Jerseyans awaiting trial for nonviolent charges are sitting in jail simply because they can’t afford to pay their bail.  People with money can buy their freedom but those without are stuck behind bars, often for months on end, just because they can’t afford as little as a couple thousand dollars for their bail.
  • S946/A1910 must be REAL bail reform which requires the following components:

1)     Replacing the current bail schedule with non-monetary release options

2)     Establishing pretrial service units to supervise defendants who need supervision while on release pending trial

3)     Mandating use of a validated risk assessment instrument on all arrestees

• Please oppose any amendments to S946/A1910 that base pretrial release decisions on resources rather than risk.  Such amendments jeopardize public safety and will do nothing to improve fairness, disproportionately impact minorities and discriminate against poor people. 
• The NJ Supreme Court recently released the report of the Joint Committee on Criminal Justice calling for significant changes to the current bail system including a move away from a resource-based system to one reliant on risk by prioritizing nonmonetary conditions of release, requiring all defendants to undergo a risk assessment before their initial bail hearing, establishing pretrial services agencies to supervise and monitor those released, and permitting the absolute detention of truly dangerous individuals.  Please consider these recommendations when voting on S946/A1910.

For more information visit: http://www.drugpolicy.org/about-us/departments-and-state-offices/new-jersey/new-solutions-campaign/new-solutions-campaign-bail

Follow-Up:

After you call these legislators it would be greatly appreciated if you shared your conversation with me.  Please e-mail mglaser@drugpolicy.org and/or call 609-496-3497 and let me know how the committee members felt about bail reform.  Do they support all three components of REAL bail reform?  Are they planning on opposing any harmful amendments to the legislation?  Do they need more information to make a decision?

The Ending Jim Crow task force has asked that we send letters in support of upcoming bail reform legislation expected to come to vote in June.  There are two letters, one to Sen. Sweeney, President of the Senate and one to Assemblyman Prieto, Speaker of the Assembly.  Each person should sign both letters.  We would like to have these all collected and  returned to me at the address below by May 16. Fact sheets about bail reform are available for information and education in the congregations.  If you have any questions, please feel free to email Al Stawsky, Task Force Chair, or me.

You may have noticed that these are not on our letterhead.  This was requested by the campaign coordinator, Drug Policy Alliance.  However, we have adapted the letters to include our UU identity in the body.

Thank you for your help.

Craig

—
Rev. Craig Hirshberg, Exec. Director
Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry of NJ
4 Waldron Ave.
Summit, NJ 07901
609.672.7331