No. 75
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
222nd LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2026 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman SHANIQUE SPEIGHT
District 29 (Essex and Hudson)
Assemblywoman LINDA S. CARTER
District 22 (Somerset and Union)
Co-Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman Reynolds-Jackson and Assemblyman Sampson
SYNOPSIS
Designates last week of April of each year as "Reentry Week."
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel.
A Joint Resolution designating the last week in April of each year as “Reentry Week.”
Whereas, The vast majority of individuals currently serving sentences in State and county correctional facilities will transition into communities throughout the State when they are released from incarceration; and
Whereas, Formerly incarcerated individuals face numerous challenges that include finding work, housing, healthcare, addiction treatment, mental health treatment, and transportation, in addition to reuniting with family, which can lead to recidivism and health, safety, and social concerns; and
Whereas, Federal, State, and local leaders recognize these challenges and are working on policies and programs focused on removing the barriers that prevent formerly incarcerated individuals from pursuing healthy and productive lives when they return to communities after serving time in correctional facilities; and
Whereas, The New Jersey Reentry Services Commission (RSC) is charged with examining issues related to prisoner reentry, including, but not limited to, identifying specific services that are necessary for successful reentry, identifying current obstacles to inmates receiving these services, and proposing solutions to remove these obstacles; and
Whereas, In 2019, the RSC released a report that offered 100 practical action steps to improve the lives of those being released from prison, with a focus on addiction treatment, healthcare, legal issues, and employment training; and
Whereas, The Commission on Reentry Services for Women (CRSW) is charged with examining issues related to women prisoner reentry including, but not limited to, identifying physical and psychological hardships endured while incarcerated that may impede successful reentry, identifying specific services that are necessary for successful reentry, identifying current obstacles to female prisoners receiving these services, and proposing solutions to remove these obstacles; and
Whereas, In 2020, the CRSW released a report that offered more than 70 recommendations for how to improve the lives of women being released from incarceration with a focus on employment, healthcare, housing, family reunification, and domestic violence; and
Whereas, Local reentry organizations, community and faith-based organizations, and other organizations across New Jersey play key roles in providing resources for formerly incarcerated individuals; and
Whereas, Reentry Week provides an opportunity to raise public awareness about the challenges that formerly incarcerated individuals face and to encourage organizations, including State agencies, to support efforts to provide assistance and resources to formerly incarcerated individuals; and
Whereas, Public officials and citizens of this State are encouraged to observe Reentry Week with appropriate activities and programs; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. The last week of April of each year is designated as “Reentry Week” to raise public awareness about the challenges that formerly incarcerated individuals face and to encourage organizations, including State agencies, to support efforts to provide assistance and resources to formerly incarcerated individuals.
2. The Governor may issue each year a proclamation calling upon public officials and citizens of this State to observe the week with appropriate activities and programs.
3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This joint resolution designates the last week of April of each year as “Reentry Week.”
Formerly incarcerated individuals face numerous challenges that include finding work, housing, healthcare, addiction treatment, mental health treatment, and transportation, in addition to reuniting with family. These challenges can lead to recidivism and health, safety, and social concerns.
Reentry week provides an opportunity to raise public awareness about the challenges that formerly incarcerated individuals face and to encourage organizations, including State agencies, to support efforts to provide assistance and resources to formerly incarcerated individuals.