News & Commentary

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 Advocacy groups have called for its closure since 1917 because of its outdated facilities and inhumane conditions.

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.

Pardons represent a crucial part of clemency work because they center rehabilitation and second chances.

When a person’s prison sentence is commuted through clemency, miracles happen for people and their families.

Our virtual panel discussion, “Clemency Briefing for Attorneys,” unpacked New Jersey's clemency process, discussed the opportunities created under Executive Order 362, and highlighted best practices for petitioning on behalf of clients who are overdue for relief.

No one should be punished for exercising their constitutional right to a fair trial. As Governor Murphy considers categories of people to grant a chance at freedom, it’s imperative to include those who are serving extreme trial penalties.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) just issued a major executive order that gives incarcerated people a chance at freedom.

For the criminal legal system to administer justice, it’s clear that it must move away from extreme punishment and toward solutions that prioritize each individual’s experience.

New Jersey has a moral responsibility to address its history of mass incarceration and racism by offering more opportunities for release. Categorical clemency offers a powerful way to do so.