Soror Watson Coleman to Hold Second Chance Hearings

TRENTON, NJ – Assembly Majority Leader Bonnie Watson Coleman on Tuesday will host a Second Chance Hearing in Bridgeton to discuss improving education and training to help individuals released from prison avoid returning to crime.

The hearing in Bridgeton will be the sixth in a series of public hearings the Majority Leader is holding across New Jersey.

It will be held from 3 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 10 at Union Baptist Temple at 60 Pine St. in Bridgeton. The hearing will focus on health and mental health.

“Studies have shown that inmates who have mental health problems are more likely to serve multiple incarcerations and meet the criteria for substance dependence and abuse,” said Watson Coleman (D-Mercer). “If we’re to tackle the pervasive cycle of arrest, incarceration, release and re-incarceration, we must ensure the state’s limited resources are best used on helping tackle these problems that can haunt people over and over again.”

The hearings have received an overwhelming response from community groups, religious leaders, advocates, law enforcement professionals and residents. Thousands of people have attended.

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