ASSEMBLY APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 4371

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  JULY 27, 2020

      The Assembly Appropriations Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 4371.

      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 resulting 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.

FISCAL IMPACT:

      The Office of Legislative Services (OLS) anticipates that indeterminate, likely nominal, costs would be incurred for conducting a study to determine cost savings from reduction of prison population due to compassionate release or elimination of mandatory minimum terms. 

      The bill requires the Department of Corrections (DOC) to issue an annual report with the results of the study. The costs associated with this study would be largely for the reimbursement of necessary expenses, including but not limited to travel, office support staff, printing and other miscellaneous costs. State government agencies may incur indeterminate but nominal expenses if called upon to assist the DOC in its deliberations.

      Following the study, the Commissioner of Corrections is required to deposit any savings from compassionate release or elimination of mandatory minimum terms of parole eligibility into a newly created fund. The costs involved with setting up the fund are likely to be negligible.