ASSEMBLY, No. 4371

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

219th LEGISLATURE

 

INTRODUCED JUNE 29, 2020

 


 

Sponsored by:

Assemblywoman  ANNETTE CHAPARRO

District 33 (Hudson)

Assemblyman  GORDON M. JOHNSON

District 37 (Bergen)

Assemblyman  PEDRO MEJIA

District 32 (Bergen and Hudson)

Senator  SANDRA B. CUNNINGHAM

District 31 (Hudson)

 

Co-Sponsored by:

Assemblywomen Reynolds-Jackson, Sumter, Senators Scutari, Pou and Ruiz

 

 

 

 

SYNOPSIS

     Requires cost savings study of compassionate release program and elimination of mandatory minimum terms; establishes “Corrections Rehabilitation and Crime Prevention Fund.”

 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     As introduced.

  


An Act requiring cost savings study, establishing the “Corrections Rehabilitation and Crime Prevention Fund,” and supplementing Title 52 of the Revised Statutes.

 

     Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

 

     1.    a.  The Commissioner of Corrections, in consultation with the Chairman of the State Parole Board and the State Treasurer, shall conduct a study to determine the fiscal impact of cost savings that may be realized from the reduction of prison population due to compassionate release and the elimination of mandatory minimum terms of parole ineligibility for certain inmates.

     b.    The commissioner shall issue an annual report to the Governor and, pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1), to the Legislature setting forth the results of the study required by subsection a. of this section.

     c.     The Commissioner of Corrections shall deposit any cost savings realized pursuant to subsection a. of this section into a special non-lapsing fund which shall be known as the “Corrections Rehabilitation and Crime Prevention Fund.”  Monies in the fund shall be used to support recidivism reduction programs, including community-based and prison-based programs, such as educational and vocational training, and for other services to facilitate inmates’ successful reentry.

 

     2.    This act shall take effect immediately. 

 

 

STATEMENT

 

     This bill requires the Commissioner of Corrections, in consultation with the Chairman of the State Parole Board, and the State Treasurer to conduct a study to determine the fiscal impact of cost savings from a reduction of prison population due to implementation of legislation to create a compassionate release program and eliminate mandatory minimum terms of parole ineligibility for certain inmates. 

     In addition, this bill requires the commissioner to deposit any savings into a special non-lapsing fund to be known as the “Corrections Rehabilitation and Crime Prevention Fund,” with the funds to be used to support recidivism reduction programs and other services meant to facilitate inmates’ successful reentry.