'Public health credits' program means some inmates can be released up to eight months early
At one point during the pandemic, New Jersey’s prisons had the highest COVID-19 death rate in the country, which prompted the Murphy administration to launch a “public health credits” program that allowed inmates within a year of their release date to be released up to eight months early.
When Gov. Phil Murphy declared a new public health emergency in the state, that reactivated the release program. There is no timeline yet for when releases will resume.
Raven Santana is an award-winning journalist with a passion for serving New Jersey’s diverse communities and a highly respected member of her own. Santana has served as correspondent/sub-anchor for NJ Spotlight News since 2018. She’s reported on the state’s business climate, health care issues, undocumented workers legislation and more. She also hosts New Jersey Business Beat with Raven Santana on NJ PBS. The first woman of color in that role, she has made it a mission to focus on often-overlooked aspects of business, from BIPOC ownership to gaps in equity and inclusion. Her recent accolades include being recognized in 2023 as part of COLOR Magazine's Power 40 Under 40 list, and in Perth Amboy Free Public Library’s 2nd Annual Women’s History Month Celebration, where she received a mayoral citation and the NJ Senate/General Assembly presented her with a Joint Legislative Resolution. She also serves on The WNET Group’s Diversity Equity and Inclusion council and is vice president of The Second Street Youth Center, based in Plainfield.
