Introducing New Yorkers For Justice

The activists, organizations, and stories powering criminal justice reform

I’m proud to introduce New Yorkers For Justice, a newsletter (sign up here), digital publication, and online community (follow us on Twitter and Facebook) that highlights the work of criminal justice reform advocates fighting to fix our broken justice system. My hope is that NY4J shines a bright light on the activists, organizations, and stories powering criminal justice reform and further supports their efforts as they repair and reverse the damage inflicted by a system that has criminalized poverty, disproportionately punished people of color, and failed the communities it was meant to protect.

This month, we spoke with some of New York’s most inspiring leaders who are working on one of the most underlooked issues in criminal justice: prisoners’ transition back to society. We fail to prepare prisoners for release or provide them the resources they need to readjust to society. Unless we recognize the barriers caused by damaged family ties and limited job prospects, many formerly incarcerated will soon be locked up again.

Thank you for taking the time to read our inaugural newsletter. Most importantly, thank you to featured advocates — Reverend Vivian Nixon and Melanie Steinhardt of College and Community Fellowship, Reverend Jo-An Owings of Mount Zion AME Church, and Julio Medina of Exodus Transitional Community.

I stand with you,

Assemblymember Dan Quart, New York’s 73rd Assembly District

P.S. Know of an activist, organization, or story that NY4J should feature? Email us at join@newyorkersforjustice.com.