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 Advocacy groups have called for its closure since 1917 because of its outdated facilities and inhumane conditions.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

Access to counsel should not be hidden behind a paywall.

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.

The 2020 protests following Floyd’s murder demonstrated the potential for confronting police violence in communities of color. Yet half a decade later, the legislative response has still fallen short.

15 million people with disabilities are enrolled in Medicaid, and the House of Representatives just voted to cut $800 billion from this life-saving program.

For the city council to address homelessness humanely, members must focus on ensuring easily accessible shelters and resources for those experiencing homelessness, not further criminalizing vulnerable people.

As we approach 4/20, we’re reminded of the strides we’ve made to address the harms of the failed drug war in New Jersey over the past few years. But we know there is still more to do to further policies and programs that promote public health and racial justice.