The Rutgers School of Law–Camden has established a federal prisoner re-entry pro bono project to help the ex-offenders make a smooth transition.
Trained Rutgers–Camden law students, who are supervised by a managing attorney, will work to resolve a client’s outstanding civil legal issues while working with the client’s federal probation officer. These issues could include acquiring a driver’s license, paying child support, or securing appropriate housing or drug and alcohol treatment.
“Re-entry has become a big issue in the last 10 years and a big reason is that people recognize there is a high rate of recidivism,” says Todd Berger, managing attorney for the Federal Prisoner Re-entry Project at Rutgers–Camden. “We end up spending a lot more money to incarcerate people again than we would if we provided re-entry services when they are released.
“By keeping people in the community who resolve these legal issues and are able to work and follow the law, it’s ultimately better for the community,” says Berger, a resident of Dresher, Pa.
The program, part of the law school’s Pro Bono Program through which students volunteer their time, is encouraged by the federal courts in New Jersey.
Wali Rushdan, a second-year law student participating in the program, says strong re-entry programs are necessary to help ex-offenders become productive members of society.
“When a person cannot drive, cannot vote, and cannot obtain a driver's license when released from prison, they’re isolated from a sense of community and civic duty,” says Rushdan, a Chester, Pa. native now living in Camden. “Consequently, they revert back to criminal behavior. They should understand that people do care, and are willing to help reintegrate them into society. ”
The Rutgers–Camden law students meet with each client at the federal courthouse on Cooper Street in Camden to conduct an initial intake interview. The students continue to meet with the clients throughout the semester as necessary, or until the client’s case is resolved. They provide legal research and support needed to achieve an appropriate legal resolution. Third-year law students may represent the client in court if necessary. Some cases may be referred to the law school clinical program.
“It gives the students an opportunity to learn the process of becoming a lawyer,” Berger says. “It’s an opportunity to have client contact, establish relationships, identify the legal issues, research, and plot the strategy. Some of it will be resolved in court, some in negations, but they’ll all have the chance to develop actual lawyering skills. On top of that, they do really good work for people who need the help.”
Many of the cases are resolved within the fall semester. There is no limit to the number of student volunteers who may participate in the project and students are welcome to recommit to a case through each successive semester. A panel of pro bono attorneys to complete student is in the planning stages.
On Monday, Oct. 27, the Rutgers School of Law–Camden will introduce the project to the community, project stakeholders, and Rutgers–Camden faculty during a special event from noon to 2 p.m. The event will be held in the faculty lounge at the Rutgers–Camden law school, located at 217 North Fifth Street on the Rutgers–Camden Campus.
In an effort to help communities reduce recidivism, Rutgers–Camden provides additional services to ex-offenders released from state and county prisons and jails through a Reconnect Center located at 1812 Federal Street in Camden. That community collaboration is led by the Senator Walter Rand Institute for Public Affairs at Rutgers–Camden.
For more information about the program, visit camlaw.rutgers.edu/federal-prisoner-reentry-pro-bono-project.
Media Contact: Ed Moorhouse
856-225-6759
E-mail: ejmoor@camden.rutgers.edu