Editor’s note: This story was shared as part of a content-sharing agreement between Mosaic.NJ.com and NJ Spotlight News . You can follow them on Facebook and Twitter (or X).

Latie Nealy of Asbury Park spent most of his life cycling in and out of prison, battling a drug addiction. But Nealy says now, he never had the opportunity to attend a program that could help with his behavioral and substance abuse issues.

That changed in December 2023, when a New Jersey court judge gave Nealy the option of another four years in prison or going to recovery court , a probation program for adults with substance abuse disorders who are charged with non-violent crimes. By that time, Nealy was in his 40s and tired of incarceration. He also knew he needed help, he said in a

See Full Page