Publications

As the New Jersey State Policy Lab (NJSPL) reaches its fourth anniversary, it is my honor to serve as the Executive Director, working with an incredible team of dedicated professionals to better understand and investigate policy issues impacting the state. The NJSPL was created as the result of a grant from the Office of the Secretary […]

Internet access restrictions for prisoners have long been a complicated topic, particularly regarding the overarching goals and whose interests are served by these restrictions. By examining existing literature, we hope to grasp a better understanding of the purpose behind these restrictions and evaluate their implications on prisoners’ rights, rehabilitation, and societal reintegration. It is presumed […]

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, people turned to search engines like Google for information. A recent study, “Language disparities in pandemic information: Autocomplete analysis of COVID-19 searches in New York” by Singh et al., highlights how these autocompletes can shape public perception and amplify health disparities. This is crucial for informing the IMPACT-NJ […]

The necessity of computer literacy for the segment of incarcerated citizens that will ultimately return to society at some point is real. Computer access is critical for education programs, legal access, social services program participation, rehabilitative services and reentry job readiness services. Computer literacy should be provided for the reintegration of any formerly incarcerated individual […]

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming various sectors of the economy across the world, from health, transportation, and finance to the workforce, education, and many others. A tidal wave of AI legislation is sweeping across state legislatures. The number of AI-related bills has skyrocketed from just over 200 in 2023 to nearly 700 in 2024,[1] signaling […]

This blog post introduces the IMPACT-NJ project, which aims to address this issue by developing policy guidelines to enhance language equity in chatbot responses, particularly between English and Spanish, the two most spoken languages in New Jersey.

Imagine never accessing the internet, using today’s technologically advanced phones, being denied access to the information highway or simply being able to search for basic information on Google, or browse libraries. While this is unimaginable to most, it is the reality for a large percentage of individuals returning to society following incarceration. Crafting an effective […]

By Sania Murtuza, Tai Vu, & Yao Sun, Ph.D This research project evaluates the effectiveness of New Jersey’s solar program and its impact on energy justice, focusing on community engagement. The project seeks to inform the development of solar programs, particularly in low-income areas, by leveraging AI analysis and Tableau to visualize solar access across New Jersey cities such as Jersey City, Newark, and Trenton.

Scientists and non-scientists alike have been surprised by the pace at which artificial intelligence (AI) is penetrating all aspects of life and society. Interest in the potential applications of AI and their associated benefits and threats has too peaked rapidly, particularly after the introduction of ChatGPT in November 2022, and is increasingly dominating public and […]

The widespread adoption of hybrid work models and the emergence of new information technology solutions are emphasizing the need for individuals to develop internet skills to effectively participate in an increasingly digitalized world.

Despite being a progressive state with regard to carceral reform and support of education, New Jersey is far behind much of the country when it comes to integrating computer technology in the education and rehabilitation programs within its prison system.

With the intention of developing an interactive map for Jersey City, Newark, and Trenton, the research team first obtained zip code data for New Jersey from an online dataset.