Second Look NJ

11/25/2025

The Rehabilitative Release Act (S2338/A4463) is about balance — compassion for those who’ve transformed, common sense about who poses a risk, and fiscal responsibility for taxpayers.

Join the movement urging lawmakers to pass the Rehabilitative Release Act

🖊️ Sign the letter — link in bio.

10/30/2025

The Rehabilitative Release Act gives aging people who’ve served decades and proven change a fair chance to be reviewed for release.

It’s compassionate. It’s fiscally responsible. And it’s time.

✊ Tell your legislators: transformation deserves recognition – sign the open letter –

https://forms.gle/fmY5gFRMcqBVsRyV9

Link in BIO

10/30/2025

New Jersey’s prisons are getting older — and people are dying behind bars who were never sentenced to die there.

The only growing population in NJ prisons is people over 50. Many have served decades, proven rehabilitation, and pose no risk to public safety.

It costs taxpayers hundreds of thousands each year to keep them locked up — even when they’re ready to come home.

The Rehabilitative Release Act (S2338/A4463) offers a path forward: one that honors transformation, protects safety, and saves public dollars.

🖋️ Add your name and tell the NJ Legislature to pass this common-sense reform.
👉 Link in bio.

07/09/2025

New Jersey has grown stronger immeasurably over the past year because of the tremendous work of Jennifer Sellitti and the New Jersey Office of the Public Defender. Please take a moment and read through their fiscal year-end report. This is what good criminal justice leadership looks like.

NJOPD Releases FY 2025 Year in Review

03/05/2025

NJ needs Second Look legislation NOW!

“The commission doesn’t believe that the proposals that were made in our November report are in the least bit controversial. The proposals are practical, common-sense reforms aimed at making the criminal justice system fairer for everyone," says Christopher Porino of the Criminal Sentencing and Disposition Commission.

Tell the NJ Legislature: PASS S2338/A4463 NOW!!

Tag your legislator below!

Lawmakers continue stalling on four bills the New Jersey Criminal Sentencing and Disposition Commission supports to cut the prison population.

12/20/2024

Thank you NJ Spotlight News for your coverage of our press conference yesterday! It was a momentous event, thanks to the clarity and courage of the speakers. Let's keep in mind our incarcerated elders this holiday season, and continue to lift our voices for second chances on their behalf.

Russell Owen Edwin Ortiz Salvation and Social Justice New Jersey Office of the Public Defender Senator Raj Mukherji Faith in New Jersey Returning Citizens Support Group

Advocates seek passage of stalled Rehabilitative Release Bill

12/19/2024

The Second Chances press conference in Trenton this morning was a spectacular moment in our journey together. We are grateful for the clarity and courage with which our participants spoke, advocating for second chances on behalf of our incarcerated elders.

We are particularly grateful for statements offered by Senator Raj Mukherji, Jennifer Sellitti of New Jersey Office of the Public Defender, Rev. Dr. Leslie Harrison, Racquel Antoinette from Salvation and Social Justice, Rev. Dr. Timothy Levi Adkins-Jones, Rev. Dr. Russell Owen of Faith in New Jersey, Rev. J Amos Caley, Edwin Ortiz of Returning Citizens Support Group, and Lee Holmes.

Additional written statements of support were offered by Rev. Dr. Charles Boyer, Assemblywoman Jessica Ramirez, and Commissioner Victoria Kuhn.

We are more motivated than ever to push for the passage of S2338/A4463, the Rehabilitative Release bill, so that incarcerated senior citizens in New Jersey are given a second look and a second chance.

12/19/2024

Grateful for partners in Salvation and Social Justice, New Jersey Office of the Public Defender, Faith in New Jersey, and Returning Citizens Support Group, and for the leadership of Senator Raj Mukherji. Today's press conference was a remarkable moment in our journey toward actualizing second chances for our incarcerated elders.

12/18/2024

TOMORROW: Second Look Press Conference

On Thursday, December 19, at 9:30AM, the Second Look coalition will be holding a press conference at the Hughes Justice Complex, calling for sentencing relief on behalf of incarcerated senior citizens. Attendees will hear statements from formerly incarcerated advocates, faith leaders, the Public Def...

12/13/2024

Join us Thursday, December 19 for a press conference calling for sentencing relief on behalf of incarcerated senior citizens! We are calling for the passage of S2338/A4463 to offer second chance opportunities for our imprisoned elders.

Press conference begins at 9:30am in the P1 Lobby of the Richard Hughes Justice Complex, featuring statements from faith leaders, formerly incarcerated elders, the Office of the Public Defender, the Department of Corrections, and legislative sponsors.