Latino Caucus Applauds Governor Murphy’s New Clemency Initiative

Trenton – “Despite a number of criminal justice reforms that our state has undertaken and pushed through over the last decade, New Jersey’s rate of incarceration is still too high, and still largely affects persons of color, particularly those who are Black or Latino.

“We, members of the Legislative Latino Caucus, applaud Governor Murphy’s new Clemency Initiative, which has the power to change lives, and that could give those who qualify a second chance to enjoy a fulfilling and productive life.

This initiative continues needed positive change for those serving time, and signals new hope for those incarcerated who are facing excessively long terms, or unjust sentences.

“This new reform will offer perhaps thousands new hope; furthermore, it signals to the rest of the nation that New Jersey continues to be serious about prison reform and addressing racial disparities in the system, inequities that have traditionally landed hardest on people from low-income neighborhoods.

“The Legislative Latino Caucus stands solidly behind this visionary initiative and looks forward to seeing it implemented in full, in order to make our State a more just and equitable place to work and live.

Members of the Legislative Latino Caucus:

• Senator Nellie Pou
• Senator M. Teresa Ruiz
• Senator Nilsa Cruz-Perez
• Assemblywoman Rosy Bagolie
• Assemblyman Christian Barranco
• Assemblywoman Alixon Collazos-Gill
• Assemblywoman Yvonne Lopez
• Assemblyman Julio Marenco
• Assemblywoman Carmen Morales
• Assemblywoman Eliana Pintor-Marin
• Assemblywoman Annette Quijano
• Assemblywoman Jessica Ramirez
• Assemblyman Gabriel Rodriguez