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 business people, 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.thejusticeimperative.org.

Contact Information: Kathleen Taylor, Malta Justice Initiative 33 Chester Place, Southport, CT 06890

203.605.1544, director@maltajusticeinitiative.org