State of New Jersey secondary Archives: on Crime
Bonnie Watson Coleman:
Provide prison inmates with vocational & job-related skills
Coleman indicates support of the following principles regarding crime. - Support programs to provide prison inmates with vocational and job-related skills and job-placement assistance when released.
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Increase state funding for community centers and other social agencies in areas with at-risk youth.
- Increase funding for state and local emergency agencies to prevent and to respond to terrorist attacks.
Source: New Jersey 2005-2006 Gubernatorial Political Courage Test
Nov 1, 2005
Chris Christie:
De-criminalizing drug use has reduced prisoner population
Four years ago I also stood in this chamber and called for us to fundamentally change the way we treat nonviolent criminals who are in the thralls of the disease of addiction. Through the reforms we delivered, like mandatory drug court,
we have a smaller prison population today and we are closing a traditional state prison--Mid-State Prison--which I propose today that we open as a fully dedicated, certified drug abuse treatment facility for New Jersey prison inmates.
Source: 2016 State of the State speech to New Jersey legislature
Jan 12, 2016
Chris Christie:
Bail reform based on crime, not wealth
Release from jail pending trial is now no longer based on how much money you have in the bank but on the seriousness of the accusations and your criminal record. No longer can a repeat violent offender be released and terrify his victims or old
neighborhood because he has millions of dollars in cash from drug & gun deals. By the same token, no longer must you stay in jail for a minor offense longer than you would have to serve if convicted because you or your family doesn't have $500 for bail.
Source: 2018 New Jersey State of the State address
Jan 9, 2018
Chris Christie:
Expunge records for less serious crimes
No longer can an employer make a job applicant with a criminal record check a box and end their chances of redemptive employment--together we have banned the box in New Jersey. Crimes of our youth can now be expunged in three years, adult crimes
in six years and many more crimes are eligible for life changing expungement. County prison population is already down 17% and two state prisons have been closed, saving countless millions for taxpayers.
Source: 2018 New Jersey State of the State address
Jan 9, 2018
Cory Booker:
Bipartisan solution to reduce recidivism
The challenge I often see in America now is we get caught in this idea that democracy's a spectator sport, that you could sit on your couch, root for your team, red or blue, but not realize that politics is a full-contact, participatory endeavor.
We as a people can never allow our inability to do everything, [such as] solving poverty, to undermine our determinations to do something. And so I'm a child of a generation that said, "I'm going to do something to make this world a better place."
[For example], the Manhattan Institute is a right-leaning think tank. I have lots of disagreements with their leadership, but we said that one of the biggest problems in America is mass incarceration. It's one of the most expensive governments that's
gone out of control and it fails. They release those people and the majority of them come back. And we found ways to get together and do reentry programs of dramatically-reduced recidivism.
We have a politics in this country that's failing its people.
Source: Meet the Press 2013 on 2014 New Jersey Senate race
Aug 25, 2013
Cory Booker:
Real solution to crime is addressing poverty and education
Booker said the real answer to fighting crime is addressing poverty and poor education. In the meantime, as homicides surge in the city he governed for seven years, Newark's leaders say the city can't wait."Nobody would argue with the need for a
holistic approach over the long term, but our citizens need help right now," said one mayoral candidate. "I requested federal emergency funding to flood high crime areas with more police."
Booker would not comment on whether those dollars would be available but said he has been talking with U.S. Attorneys about immediate strategies.
He also said the violence was not confined to Newark.
The Star-Ledger reported today that New Jersey has seen a seven-year high in homicides statewide. "Looking at the whole state, we have serious, serious violence issues," Booker said.
Source: Newark Star-Ledger on 2014 New Jersey Senate race
Jan 1, 2014
Cory Booker:
Incarceration isn't working; focus on preventing recidivism
Our criminal justice system is broken. New Jersey's prison population increased by 328% between 1980 and 2011, burdening taxpayers with billions of dollars in direct and indirect costs, and destabilizing countless families and communities. And that
incarceration isn't working: 55% of those who go to state prison are rearrested within three years. In Newark, we didn't wait for the state or federal government to get their act together:- We launched ex-offender reentry programs that drove
down recidivism rates;
- We created a youth court, community court, and veterans court -- the community court and veterans court are the first of their kind in the state, designed to connect low level offenders with specialized resources to reduce
recidivism and better protect our neighborhoods.
- We expanded mentoring programs, youth programing, recreation spaces, and youth employment opportunities to engage our kids in constructive activities that lead to productive pathways, not prison.
Source: 2013-2014 New Jersey Senate campaign web CoryBooker.com
Nov 3, 2013
Cory Booker:
Increase the number of police in all neighborhoods
Cory Booker's work as councilman from Newark's Central Ward has earned him praise from Newark residents.- Local Nuisance Codes: Organized pro-bono attorneys to fight against drug dealing in local communities through the enforcement of codes.
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Hunger Strike: Organized a 10-day Camp Out where the Councilman slept out and went on a hunger strike against drugs and crime in Garden Spires
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Police Presence: (1/19/00) Fought on the City Council to increase the number of police in all neighborhoods.
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Additional Security: Pushed legislation mandating that private buildings provide more security for local residents.
Source: 2013-2014 New Jersey Senate campaign web CoryBooker.com
Nov 3, 2013
Cory Booker:
Cut first responders due to economic downturn
As an executive serving during the deepest economic downturn this nation has endured in generations, I did all I could to protect the ranks of my fire and police departments, and funding for emergency medical services. But it wasn't enough.
Like most localities in New Jersey, and like so many across the country, we watched our ranks dwindle even as we searched for new revenue and cut everywhere else first.
Source: 2013-2014 New Jersey Senate campaign web CoryBooker.com
Nov 3, 2013
Donny DiFrancesco:
More victims’ rights; identify sex offendors
DiFrancesco was the prime sponsor on the following bills in the 2000-2001 NJ congressional session:- S2033: Gives crime victims the right to have present at certain court proceedings an advocate or other support person of the victim’s choice.
- SCR2: Proposes constitutional amendment establishing that State may make available to general public certain information identifying sex offenders.
Source: New Jersey congressional voting records
Dec 25, 2000
Hirsh Singh:
Supports sending troops into New Jersey to "Protect America"
Singh said he'd support President Trump approving military operations within New Jersey. "We are a nation of laws. Law and Order must be restored. We must protect peaceful protestors, law enforcement, businesses, innocent bystanders, and personal
property," Singh said on Facebook. "If Gov. Phil Murphy fails to deploy the National Guard, I support President Donald J. Trump invoking the Insurrection Act of 1807 to send in the US Military and Protect America."
Source: New Jersey Globe on 2020 New Jersey Senate race
Jun 2, 2020
Jack Ciattarelli:
Answer to hate crimes not new policy but changed attitude
Jack Ciattarelli Statement on Death of George Floyd: "Let us not make the mistake, once again, of trivializing hate crimes by merely calling for new public policies. All of us, each and every day, must do something that helps bring an end to indecency,
hatred, and bias. All of us, each and every day, must be a shining example of tolerance and respect. All of us, each and every day, must call out intolerance, isolating those who engage in hate and bigotry."
Source: 2021 New JerseyGovernor campaign website Jack4NJcom
May 31, 2021
Josh Gottheimer:
Prison reform for nonviolent offenders
We will only succeed as a nation if everyone is included and treated with respect and dignity. I will work for prison reform for nonviolent offenders, an area with great bipartisan support.
We waste massive amounts of money on strategies that make our communities less, not more, safe.
Source: 2016 New Jersey House campaign website josh4congress.com
Nov 8, 2016
Phil Murphy:
Eliminate mandatory minimum sentences for nonviolent crimes
We're making our justice system more transparent and fair not just for our sake, but to make New Jersey a national model for positive transformation in policing and ending racial inequities.
I also remain committed to eliminating mandatory minimum sentences for nonviolent drug and property crimes -- these reforms are long-overdue.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to New Jersey legislature
Jan 12, 2021
Ray Lesniak:
Change culture of corrections: limit solitary confinement
A bill that would sharply limit solitary confinement for prisoners in New Jersey cleared a Senate committee on despite a warning from the president of the union for corrections officers that the measure will carry a price tag. The Law and Public Safety
committee voted 3-1 to approve the bill. The bill's sponsor, Sen. Raymond Lesniak, said he reintroduced the bill to "change the culture of corrections in New Jersey and hopefully across the United States."The measure--opposed by the state
Department of Corrections when it was first introduced last year--prohibits placing inmates in solitary for non-disciplinary reasons. It would grant inmates a right to a hearing to contest solitary within 72 hours of placement and make it subject to
review every 15 days. The restrictions would cover inmates housed in state prisons or county jails. It would not apply in situations of facility-wide lockdowns, emergency confinement, medical isolation or protective custody.
Source: Bergen Record on New Jersey Senate voting records
Mar 11, 2016
Rik Mehta:
Lock up violent offenders and throw away the key
The President has taken the first steps to remedy past mistakes by signing into law signature legislation, the First Step Act, and creating incremental changes to our criminal justice system. Rik will continue to expand criminal justice reform in a way
that ensures we lock up violent offenders and throw away the key, while preventing the overflow of our jails with non-violent offenders who are capable of rehabilitation and earn second chances.
Source: 2020 New Jersey Senate campaign website RikForNJ.com
Mar 18, 2020
Robert Menendez:
Address roots of gangs via education & empowerment
Working to address the root of gang activity and preventing further escalations in violence through education and economic empowerment for youth, expanding anti-gang and
law enforcement efforts, and establishing tougher penalties for gang-related offenses.
Making data about guns used in crimes and illegal gun sales public to help law enforcement crack down on gun violence.
Youth and Gang Crime: Working to address the root of gang activity and
preventing further escalations in violence through education and economic empowerment for youth, expanding anti-gang and law enforcement efforts, and establishing tougher penalties for gang-related offenses.
Source: Vote-USA.org on 2010 New Jersey Gubernatorial incumbents
Oct 7, 2006
Seth Kaper-Dale:
Use prison for training, not profit
Meaningful re-entry services should begin in earnest on the day of entry into prison/jail. Prison serves as a tool of correction, which means it should also be a launch pad for meaningful opportunities to live a better, safer life.
Minimum wage jobs (or better) should start during a prison sentence. Currently those who are serving time are paid slave-wages. No prison system should present opportunities for market investment or economic growth.
Source: 2018 New Jersey Governor website KaperDaleForGovernor.com
Aug 8, 2017
Thomas Kean Jr.:
Co-sponsored bill establishing crime of human trafficking
Bill A2730: Establishes crime of human trafficking; adds to racketeering; authorizes victim compensation and services; provides certain affirmative defenses. This bill would establish new crimes concerning forced labor and sex trafficking.
Both of these activities represent a modern form of slavery, in which ever increasing numbers of persons, primarily women and children, are trafficked across international borders and into this State.
Forced labor and sex trafficking would each be categorized as a crime of the second degree.
Also, if a person destroyed, concealed, or possessed the passport or any other government-issued identifying document of a victim, while in the course
of committing, attempting to commit, or conspiring to commit, the crime of forced labor or sex trafficking, the person would be guilty of a crime of the third degree.
Source: New Jersey State legislative voting records, Bill A2730
May 6, 2004
Doug Steinhardt:
Punish New Jersey's criminals instead of protecting them
Doug supports our police and first responders. He will always fight for policies that Back the Blue and isn't shy about standing up for the men and women who serve and protect. As your Senator, Doug will focus on ending the
Murphy/Biden soft-on-crime policies that make every community less safe. He will vote to enforce laws that punish New Jersey's criminals instead of protect them.
Source: 2021 New Jersey State Senate website Steinhardt4Senate.com
Oct 4, 2022
Page last updated: Feb 18, 2023