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Who We Are
Malta Justice Initiative (MJI) is a sponsored work the Order of Malta, American Association, in Connecticut. Our overall prison ministry goal is to strengthen existing programs and ministries and to develop new ministries. This project, “The Justice Imperative– The Unrealized Potential of Connecticut’s Systems of Corrections and Criminal Justice” is a major step in our program in Connecticut to serve those in need by reaching out to the business community, faith-based organizations and academia.
Click here to visit our site: http://maltajusticeinitiative.org/
MJI seeks transformation and reconciliation of the imprisoned by affirming the God-given dignity of each inmate and ex-offender and stressing that his or her life matters. We provide support to the incarcerated to help them lead faith-focused and productive lives through visitation and instruction. We also strive to raise public awareness to the spiritual and material needs of the imprisoned, as they begin the process of transitioning back into the community.
Mission Statement:
- To serve the incarcerated community in Connecticut by:
- Visiting the incarcerated, affirming their human dignity and ministering to their spiritual needs;
- Facilitating former offenders return to their families and communities as rehabilitated, law-
abiding taxpaying citizens; - Promoting the critical need to hire qualified former offenders;
- Raising awareness among the business, faith and academic communities to the ineffectiveness,
inefficiencies and injustices of the criminal justice system; - Advocating for an effective, efficient and compassionate criminal justice system.
The Sovereign, Military and Hospitallar Order of St. John of Jerusalem and of Rhodes and of Malta is one of the oldest institutions of Western and Christian civilization. The Order constitutes the sole unbroken continuation of the Hospitallers of St. John recognized in 1113. Begun in Palestine in around 1050, it is a lay religious Order traditionally of military, chivalrous and noble nature. Its 13,500 members worldwide are devoted to the exercise of Christian virtue and charity.
What distinguishes the Knights and Dames of Malta is their commitment to reaching their spiritual perfection within the Church and to expending their energies providing assistance to the poor and the suffering. This becomes reality through the voluntary work carried out by Dames and Knights in humanitarian assistance with medical and social service activities. The Order of Malta is a sovereign political entity under international law with its own constitution, passports, stamps, and public institutions.
Today the Order carries out these activities in over 120 countries and does so without distinction of religion, race, origin and age. The American Association, one of three associations in the U.S.A., is a separate legal entity and a 501 (c) 3 not-for-profit corporation which is responsible for the day-to-day management and control of its business and affairs. As such, it acts on its own behalf subject to general oversight by the Order of Malta consistent with accepted corporate governance standards and practices. MJI is also a separate legal entity and a 501 (c) 3 Not-For- Profit Corporation acting on its own behalf, with its own board of directors and appropriate legal documents.
Book dedication
- To all those who selflessly work in our criminal justice and corrections system for the
- betterment of victims, the protection of the public and the rehabilitation of offenders
- Dedicated to all Connecticut citizens who seek an effective, efficient and compassionate criminal justice system
- Dedicated to those who suffer injustice and those who care for them
- Dedicated to criminal justice reform
- Dedicated to those who have sought criminal justice reform in Connecticut
- Dedicated to victims of crime and those unjustly incarcerated
- Dedicated to those who serve the incarcerated and their families
- Dedicated to former offenders who have realized redemption
Objectives & Methods
A brief description of the basic need…and what we wish to accomplish…and method(s) we plan to use.
Criminal Justice policy reform in CT is an initiative that must begin with a clear understanding of strategic goals in terms of public information, advocacy, social responsibility, legislation and education of elected officials. We have published a book entitled The Justice Imperative – How Hyper-Incarceration Has Hijacked The American Dream in collaboration with faith based, business and academic institutions to accomplish our goals.
We have contracted with The Dilenschneider Group to act as our media and public relations consultants as well as publishers to accomplish the following:
Book Production
- Design, edit and publish the manuscript.
- Lay out the manuscript as well as e-book platforms for Amazon and Nook
- Assist in the development of a project website with a Facebook page which must be interactive, giving people who support the cause the opportunity to take action.
- Build an electronic file on our website to archive all opinion piece
Book Marketing
- Write press releases announcing the publication – create a buzz.
- Coordinate a blog campaign
- Work with print and other media to secure reviews, interviews as well as opinion pieces
- Develop clear, concise and consistent messaging for the book and cause
- Help arrange appearances in libraries, churches, fraternal organizations, conferences
- Acquire support of high profile individuals for funding and other participation,
Legislative goals
- Determine legislative goals over a three year period
- Begin a campaign to educate the General Assembly as well as the Governor
- Determine our champions and work with them to draft legislation
- Clearly define our organization so that it becomes very recognizable
Spread the Message
- Focus on influential people to assist in fundraising
- Work with the three Bishops of the State of CT for support
- Develop opinion pieces that can be shared with the business community especially the Fairfield Business Council and the Connecticut Business Industry Association
- Enlist key CEOs who would be willing to support distribution
John Santa Press Release
Fairfield University honors John S. Santa, Chairman, Malta Justice Initiative
John S. Santa receives honorary degree from Fairfield University at 2014 Commencement Ceremonies.
John S. Santa, received an honorary degree from Fairfield University at their 64th Commencement Ceremonies. After a 40-year career in marketing, finance and finally as CEO at Santa Energy, he now serves as an independent director for four private corporations. His record as a community activist as well as his ongoing commitment to social justice and community service is substantial. Having served on many community boards in the past, such as the Inner City Foundation for Charity and Education and the Family Firm Institute, he is currently an active member of the Sentencing Commission of the State of Connecticut, the board of the Fairfield Museum and History Center, and the Center for Catholic Studies at Fairfield University. He received the Paul Harris Fellowship from the Rotary Club of Fairfield; he Volunteer of the Year Award from the State of Connecticut DOC; and the Graymoor Award from the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement for his work on behalf of current and formerly incarcerated men and women.
He has been recognized as a prophetic voice in the modern criminal justice reform movement. He began his work in 1998, and by 2002 he and his colleagues founded Malta Prison Volunteers of Connecticut – now known as Malta Justice Initiative. Their mission is to inform and educate the business, faith and academic communities about the opportunities available in criminal justice legislative reform. His programs were embraced as the first and only national work of the American Association of the Order of Malta. The Order now conducts prison ministry activities from coast to coast.
Malta Justice Initiative has just published its first book, The Justice Imperative – How Hyper-Incarceration Has Hijacked the American Dream, to provide information about the causes and extent of the problems overwhelming the process of criminal justice in Connecticut; to explain why reform is long overdue and in our collective best interest; and to suggest reforms that are supported by empirical evidence from other states.
Our criminal justice system is in need of reform. Such system costs the taxpayer too much, fails at rehabilitation, exacts a life-long toll on offenders and does not yield corresponding societal benefits. Of late, the political left and right have found common ground in advocating for change. This book is the product of a bipartisan coalition here in Connecticut of businesspeople, correctional professionals, legislators, judges, law enforcement professionals, lawyers, ministers and academics. We believe there are systemic solutions capable of saving money, making us safer, and providing offenders with a pathway toward reformation and reintegration. For more information, please go to their websites: www.maltajusticeinitiative.org ; www.thejustticeimperative.org
Contact Information:
Malta Justice Initiative, P.O. Box 481, 33 Chester Place, Southport, CT 06890-0481; by fax at 203-362-3348; or by email at director@maltajusticeinitiative.org
| Contact: Kathleen TaylorMalta Justice InitiativePhone203.605.1544
Fax 203,362.3348 |
33 Chester PlaceP.O.Box 481Southport, CT 06890-0481 | Malta Justice Initiative |
Malta Justice Initiative Press Release
Malta Justice Initiative publishes Book on prison reform
The Justice Imperative – How Hyper-Incarceration Has Hijacked the American Dream
New Canaan, CT, 1:00PM, August 22, 2014. Malta Justice Initiative has just published its first book to provide information about the causes and extent of the problems overwhelming the process of criminal justice in Connecticut; to explain why reform is long overdue and in our collective best interest; and to suggest reforms that are supported by empirical evidence from other states. , The Justice Imperative – How Hyper-Incarceration Has Hijacked the American Dream is now available for purchase on Amazon.
Our criminal justice system is in need of reform. Such system costs the taxpayer too much, fails at rehabilitation, exacts a life-long toll on offenders and does not yield corresponding societal benefits. Of late, the political left and right have found common ground in advocating for change. This book is the product of a bipartisan coalition here in Connecticut of businesspeople, correctional professionals, legislators, judges, law enforcement professionals, lawyers, ministers and academics. We believe there are systemic solutions capable of saving money, making us safer, and providing offenders with a pathway toward reformation and reintegration. For more information, please go to our website: www.maltajusticeinitiative.org.
Prison Ministry is the national ministry of the Order of Malta and we appreciate your support. John S. Santa, Chairman; William J. Fox, Project Originator; Nick Yanicelli, President
“The Justice Imperative”
How Hyper-Incarceration Has Hijacked The American Dream
Summary
Our criminal justice system is in need of reform. Such system costs the taxpayer too much, fails at rehabilitation, exacts a life-long toll on offenders and does not yield corresponding societal benefits. Of late, the political left and right have found common ground in advocating for change. This book is the product of a bipartisan coalition here in Connecticut of businesspeople, correctional professionals, legislators, judges, law enforcement professionals, lawyers, ministers and academics. We believe there are systemic solutions capable of saving money, making us safer, and providing offenders with a pathway toward reformation and reintegration.
The purpose of this book is three-fold: (1) to provide information about the causes and extent of the problems overwhelming the process of criminal justice in Connecticut; (2) to explain why reform is long overdue and in our collective best interest; and (3) to suggest reforms that are supported by empirical evidence from other states.
The long-term political shift from being tough on crime in the 1970s and 1980s to today’s call for reform is illustrated by the unusual circumstance whereby the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal each recently ran editorials in favor of similar reform measures.
The current bi-partisan environment raises the prospect for reform. Such reform would not have been imaginable a decade ago. Having an electorate knowledgeable about the core issues may facilitate the political process. Motivation is found in both the budget-breaking financial costs and the human and community costs inherent in the current system.
This book does not seek to assign fault for the current shortcomings. The criminal justice system we have today reflects what society has demanded of our elected officials since the 1970s. Our current situation has its ideological roots in catch phrases such as “lock the door and throw away the key,” “if you did the crime, you have to do the time,” and “they got what they deserve.” The Cheshire murders in 2007 reinforced such sentiments.
As a society, we have become hardened toward felons. Historically, there has been little political or social support for the imprisoned or their families. It is generally considered political suicide to be perceived as soft on crime. This political paralysis has impeded efforts to be “smart on crime”. With the support of responsible informed citizens, elected officials will be more inclined to devote their attention to reforming the financially burdensome and socially destructive aspects of the present system.
It is the collective view of the Editorial Board of this book that being smart on crime can enhance public safety by redirecting resources toward rehabilitation and treatment, reducing recidivism, lowering overall operating costs, providing fairer justice and lessening the damage to our communities.
In advocating for reform, we recognize that victims’ rights must not be minimized. Many offenders have committed heinous crimes. Such crimes warrant severe punishment, including the removal of offenders’ status as free members of society and the curtailment of their ability to inflict further harm on the general public. We accept that the personal losses suffered by crime victims and their families are devastating and irreparable. Victims are entitled to the closure afforded through the judicial process.
At the same time, we note that over ninety-five percent of offenders are released back to our communities, often unsupervised and ill-equipped to succeed. Once branded a felon, an offender is subjected to the modern day equivalent of a scarlet letter. That stigma and other obstacles block the path toward lawful behavior. The individual suffers, the community suffers, recidivism increases and the taxpayer foots the bill.
It is in the public’s interest to have released offenders rehabilitated and motivated to be law-abiding, taxpaying members of their families and communities. By recognizing the human dignity of all offenders and enabling them to realize redemption and restore their relationships within the community, all of society is ennobled.
Our analysis examines not only the current criminal justice system and incarceration practices in Connecticut, but also the best practices in other states and countries. Such practices and empirical evidence strongly indicate that we can right size our prison population, bring down costs, lower recidivism and increase public safety, while affording ex-offenders greater opportunities to turn their lives around and reintegrate into mainstream society.
It is our fervent hope that by educating the public about the serious issues confronting the criminal justice system, hearts and minds will be changed, thereby enhancing the potential for more positive outcomes and needed reform.
On behalf of the Editorial Board
Malta Justice Initiative
