Alex Shalom, senior managing attorney for the ACLU of New Jersey, said the first wave of people being released on Thursday are getting out up to four months earlier than their initial release date.
Prisoners who are within a year of release and have not been convicted of murder, first-degree sexual assault, or are not repeat sexual offenders are eligible to earn four months off their sentence for every month or part of the month they serve during a public health emergency. Shalom expects another 900 individuals to accrue the maximum eight months off and be freed in March.
Re-entry advocates say the state has improved its services and coordination with local groups since the first group of 2,200 prisoners was released in November 2020 — in some cases with nowhere to go and no valid state identification. Velez said the department will help individuals obtain identification documents, healthcare, a two-week supply of prescription medication , and transportation home for those who need it.
The department also created a hotline — 609-826-5671 — to help answer questions from those recently released. Any family members with questions can call each facility for more information.newsletter signupBy submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our
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