Criminal Justice Advocacy Program

What is Criminal Justice Advocacy?

There are at least 25,000 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the nation's prisons, and some studies indicate that the actual number may be twice that. This means that approximately 1 out of every 20 prisoners in the United States has a developmental disability. Offenders with a developmental disability face certain disadvantages at various stages while involved with the criminal justice system. The Criminal Justice Advocacy Program (CJAP) provides alternatives to incarceration on behalf of individuals with developmental disabilities who are defendants in the criminal justice system, and is the only program of its kind in New Jersey.

The CJAP serves as a clearinghouse for information about offenders, victims and witnesses with developmental disabilities and serves as a liaison between the criminal justice and human service systems, monitoring the quality of care and service provided to those with developmental disabilities as they move from one system to another.

Please be advised that The Criminal Justice Advocacy Program does not provide legal advice or services. Legal service references can be found here. For more on what we do and how we can help, please click here.

View our program brochures below:

• Understanding the Criminal Justice System
• Critical Stages

Additional Material:

• Understanding the DDD Determination for Eligibility Process
• DDD Intake Application 
• Working with & Identifying an Individual with an I/DD
• Attorneys Guide was designed to assist attorneys in understanding the possible presence of an I/DD in someone involved in the criminal justice system. 

Our Intake and Release of Information Form is required to advocate for an individual with intellectual and developmental disabilities that has been incarcerated and/or currently has pending charges.  Please return the completed forms to cjap@arcnj.org or via fax # 732.733.6804.  Download our Intake and Release of Information Form.

Upcoming webinar - February 21st at 2:00PM - 3:00PM EST

"​​Growth Through Opportunity: A Unique Way to Enhance Employment, Safety and Inclusive Communities"

Guest speaker Travis Akins, Founder and CEO of Growth Through Opportunity (GTO), will discuss the program he initiated in Texas "Growth Through Opportunity: A Unique Way to Enhance Employment, Safety and Inclusive Communities", which provides an opportunity for people with I/DD to work with their local law enforcement community. This one hour webinar will provide an overview of the all-in-one community and work relations program and the ongoing progress is has achieved.

- Click here to register!!

- View Flyer

Looking for past webinars??  Click here!!

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What does developmental disabilities include?

• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Cerebral Palsy
• Epilepsy
• Intellectual Disability
• Other neurological impairments (e.g. traumatic brain injury, Spina Bifida, Prader-Willi syndrome, Alcohol Related Neurodevelopmental Disorders or FASD)

U.S. Department of Justice - Bureau of Justice Statistics
Disabilities Among Prison and Jail Inmates

• Summary
• Full Article

Resources & Material

• Self-Help Resources Main Page
• Overview of the Courts
• Overview of the Court Process
• Courthouse Addresses & Contact Numbers
• Forms and Instructions