ReNew Reentry Court
Since 2012, ReNew Reentry Court has been serving people returning to Essex County after completing federal sentences. Participants, who are on federal supervised release and who would otherwise be at high risk of reoffending, voluntarily agree to complete 72 weeks in reentry court. They come to reentry court monthly, where they meet with the reentry court team, including federal judges, a U.S. Probation Officer, attorneys and staff from the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Federal Public Defender’s Office, as well as a social worker and social work students from Columbia and Rutgers Schools of Social Work. Participants also attend a monthly mentorship session structured around a cognitive behavioral therapy model.
During reentry court sessions, participants review their progress toward their individual goals and work with the team to address any obstacles they face in their reentry. In between sessions, participants must be employed, in school or a training program, or engaged in community service to earn credit towards completion of the required 72 weeks. Participants must also follow through with individualized goals and must comply with all terms of federal supervised release. After 72 weeks, a participant will earn 18 months of reduction from their term of supervised release.
The reentry court team either assists participants directly or will link participants with supportive services, including employment and training, education, healthcare, treatment, counseling, and mentoring, housing, and legal services. By the end of their time in reentry court, participants typically:
Obtain well-paid, long-term employment after completing significant education and training, including CDL training, EMT training, HVAC certification, union apprenticeship, or an associate’s degree;
Obtain stable, long-term housing and furniture and household supplies;
Enroll in health insurance and obtain necessary medical care for themselves and their families;
Receive cognitive behavioral therapy, group counseling, parenting or domestic violence counseling, and support in school placement for their children, as needed;
Obtain peer mentoring from successful reentry court alumni;
Receive financial counseling and credit-history repair; and
Clear warrants and restore divers licenses and enter payment plans for past child support and traffic violations.
ReNew continues to provide mentoring, employment counseling and civil legal support to graduates to ensure their long-term success and stability. As a result, after achieving significant goals in their first year, reentry court graduates typically build on these successes after graduation. The vast majority, around 78 percent, never recidivate and instead remain employed and able to support their families and the growing community of reentry court graduates and continue to advance their own life goals.