Chris Christie's Human Rights Opportunity

Earlier this year, we posted resources on the growing movement to end solitary confinement in the United States.  Now, New Jersey could be on the brink of restricting solitary confinement in state and county prisons.  A bill passed by both houses of the New Jersey legislature is waiting for the Governor's signature.  While not a complete ban, the American Friends Service Committee supports the measure, saying that it chips away at human rights violations inherent in the widespread practice. 

In the past, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has been skeptical of solitary confinement, signing into a law a bill which limited use of solitary against juveniles.  But now, with his chosen presidential candidate on the ropes and with continued revelations concerning his knowledge and involvement in Bridgegate, will Christie do the right thing?  The legislature's vote was along party lines, which might lead a cautious Christie to exercise a veto.  But that's the wrong instinct.  Many observers argue that Christie's political career is essentially over.  Perhaps that's good news for those who support the bill.  On the one hand, the political consequences if he signs the bill will pale in comparison to the consequences for his other actions.  And on the other hand, if he has any chance of rebuilding his reputation as a practical, smart and independent politician, he should take the moral high ground approved by the legislature and sign the pending bill.

It seems like a century ago that Christie was vying for the Republican presidential nomination.  But in a speech back in July 2015, Christie pledged to take a different approach to criminal justice issues.  He noted the difficulty that former inmates have in re-integrating into communities post-release, a process that is made exponentially more difficult when inmates have suffered the mental assaults posed by solitary.  “Justice isn’t something we jail our way to. Justice is something we have to build in our communities,” Christie said. 

His presidential ambitions may be gone for good, but by signing S51, Chris Christie can still make the positive difference that he once promised.