The December 18th Summit on Bail Reform and Prisoner Re-Entry that took place at the Trenton Country Club located at 201 Sullivan Way in West Trenton, NJ was a success.
NJAC Board of Directors held their 9:00 a.m. meeting to discuss routine business while other county members and business leaders were checking in then gathering in the Grand Ballroom to network over some breakfast.
At 10:00 a.m. NJAC President Ann Cannon provided opening remarks thanking our sponsors and vendors for their support as well as the panelists for educating our attendees on the hot topic of bail reform and prisoner re-entry.
Salem County Freeholder Beth E. Timberman led the Pledge of Allegiance while Khailah Johnson, a student from Somerset County Vocational and Technical High School, beautifully sang the National Anthem.
NJAC Executive Director then introduced the first set of panelists: Honorable Ernest Caposela, Assignment Judge of the Passaic Vicinage, and representative from the Administrative Office of the Courts: Jennifer M. Perez, Esq., Director of Trial Services; Jack McCarthy, Director of Information Technology; and Vance Hagins, Pre-Trial Services Program Manager. They provided a PowerPoint presentation of information on the bail reform and speedy trial law as well as a review of plans to enhance its eCourts efiling application to support criminal justice reform. They also discussed opportunities for increased efficiency throughout the process. A copy of the PowerPoint presentation is available for you to view.
After a brief Q & A session and networking break, NJAC Executive Director John Donnadio introduced NJ 101.5 FM State House Correspondent Kevin McArdle who moderated the second panel. The panelists were: James T. Plousis, Chairman for the NJ State Parole Board; Pat McKernan, Chief Operating Officer for Volunteers of America; Oscar Aviles, Hudson County Jail Director (retired); and Frank Mazza, Hudson County DOC Director of the Community Reintegration Program. This panel discussed critical components of successful prisoner re-entry initiatives and other community based programs that serve as effective alternatives to incarceration.
Elie Honig, Director of the NJ Divisions of Criminal Justice for the Office of the NJ Attorney General, was the keynote speaker and elaborated on the implementation of the new bail reform law in 2016.
Pictures from the December 18th event are as follows and were taken by Michael Hickman, Jr. of Mike Hickman Photography – www.mikehickmanphoto.com. You may also email him at photos@ihntech.com.
Thank you to our sponsors!
Corporate and Club hosts:
Breakfast and Luncheon hosts:
Vendors:
