About This Project
Summary
ACLU-NJ launched The Clemency Project as part of our vision to center racial and social justice, reimagine the criminal legal system, and prioritize humanity. We filed FOIA requests to obtain incarceration data to show releasing people from prison posed no threat to public safety, and published it in a report to move the public and convince stakeholders to act. As a result, Gov. Murphy enacted an executive order creating a clemency process that led to our clients being released from prison.
Goals & Objectives
Our goal, supported by our data, was to sway Gov. Murphy to use his clemency powers and release people from prison. Categorical clemency allows a governor to examine injustice holistically, rather than individually. We believe reviewing extreme sentences must be the expectation, not the exception.
Results & Impact
After the launch of our report and our Clemency Project, Gov. Murphy enacted an executive order to create an expedited clemency review process. Our clients were among the first to be granted clemency and released from prison in a category that included people who are survivors of domestic violence.
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