Marleina Ubel

Marleina Ubel, Senior Policy Analyst, researches the criminal legal system with a focus on alternatives to policing that center restorative justice. Previously, Marleina was NJPP’s 2020-2021 Kathleen Crotty Fellow where she analyzed the state budget process and researched public spending on state and local law enforcement. Marleina began her undergraduate work at Valencia College and earned a transfer scholarship to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she earned a B.A. in Philosophy. As a PIKSI fellow, she spent a summer at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology challenging demographic disparities in institutions of higher learning. In 2021, she earned her M.S.W. in Management and Policy at Rutgers University and served as an Eagleton Fellow in the New Jersey Assembly Majority Office. Marleina lives in Lambertville with her husband and daughter.

Families Still Pay Millions to Stay Connected to Loved Ones in Prison

April 28, 2026 • Economic Justice
A phone call home can mean everything for the thousands of people incarcerated in New Jersey’s prisons and jails. Staying connected improves mental health, strengthens family ties, and helps people prepare for a successful return to their communities. But for many, these calls come at a high and [...]

Progress on Privacy and Immigrant Protections — With More Work Ahead

March 25, 2026
This morning, Governor Sherrill signed a package of bills, including the Privacy Protection Act and the codification of the Immigrant Trust Directive, that strengthen protections for immigrant communities across New Jersey. In response, New Jersey Policy Perspective (NJPP) issues the following statement: Marleina Ubel, Senior Policy Analyst, NJPP: [...]

How Gov. Sherrill’s Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Measures Up

March 11, 2026 • Tax and Budget
NJPP's research team evaluates whether Governor Murphy's final budget proposal sufficiently advances economic, social, and racial justice.

What to Look for in the New Jersey Budget for Fiscal Year 2027

March 3, 2026 • Tax and Budget
Ahead of Governor Sherrill's first budget address, here are key benchmarks to evaluate whether the budget sufficiently addresses fiscal challenges while aligning with the values of expanding opportunity for all.

The $200 Barrier to Justice: Why NJ Must Eliminate Municipal Public Defender Fees

October 31, 2025 • Public Safety
Despite the constitutional right to an attorney, municipal courts charge up to $200 for public defenders, pushing low-income residents into debt.

State Lawmakers Should Protect Residents from Federal Cuts to Vital Services

August 7, 2025 • Economic Justice, Tax and Budget
NJPP Research Team pens an open letter urging state lawmakers to take steps toward protecting vital programs facing federal cuts.

Federal Court Puts Profit Over People

July 22, 2025 • Immigrants' Rights
New ruling allows private detention to continue despite New Jersey ban.

Sleepwalking into Catastrophe

July 8, 2025 • Tax and Budget
NJPP's research team evaluates whether Governor Murphy's final budget proposal sufficiently advances economic, social, and racial justice.

Budget Decision Blocks Justice for Communities Hit Hardest by Drug War

June 30, 2025 • Economic Justice, Tax and Budget
Lawmakers reject proposal to increase cannabis fee that funds community programs.

The Economic and Fiscal Impacts of Mass Deportation: What’s at Risk in New Jersey

May 20, 2025 • Immigrants' Rights
In addition to causing serious social and humanitarian harm, deportation efforts pose significant economic risks to New Jersey.