SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 4371

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  AUGUST 24, 2020

      The Senate Judiciary Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 4371.

      This bill would implement the reinvestment of cost savings related to certain criminal sentencing reforms based on Recommendation 8 of the first annual report of the New Jersey Criminal Sentencing and Disposition Commission (the CSDC), created by P.L.2009, c.81 (C.2C:48A-1 et seq.) but delayed in being constituted and actively reviewing the State’s sentencing laws. 

      The bill would require the Commissioner of Corrections, in consultation with the Chair 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 the overall prison population due to any compassionate release program, such as the program currently proposed in Senate Bill No. 2594 and its counterpart, Assembly Bill No. 2370, as well as the elimination of mandatory minimum terms of parole ineligibility for certain inmates, such as the proposed eliminations in Senate Bill Nos. 2586 and 2593 and their counterparts, Assembly Bill Nos. 4369 and 4370, all of which are based on other recommendations from the CSDC.  This study would be summarized by the commissioner in an annual report, which would be submitted to the Governor and Legislature.

      Any cost savings realized as a result of the commissioner’s study would be deposited into a special non-lapsing fund, referred to as the “Corrections Rehabilitation and Crime Prevention Fund.”  Monies from this fund would be used to support recidivism reduction programs and other services meant to facilitate inmates’ successful reentry into society.

      This bill as reported is identical to Senate Bill No. 2595, also reported today by the committee.