Gov. Phil Murphy touts creation of clemency program on Juneteenth

Gov. Phil Murphy (D-NJ) is using this Juneteenth holiday to seek out criminal justice reform. The governor issued an executive order to create a new clemency program, which will allow some young and nonviolent offenders, along with domestic violence victims and others, to apply to leave prison early.

The program aims to address mass incarceration, racial injustice, and parole rules that make it difficult for people to get a new start when they leave prison, supporters said. A clemency board will review petitions and make recommendations to Murphy.