CHAPTER 213

An Act concerning the standard for parole release and amending P.L.1979, c.441.

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

    1. Section 9 of P.L.1979, c.441 (C.30:4-123.53) is amended to read as follows:

C.30:4-123.53 Release of inmate.

    9. a. An adult inmate shall be released on parole at the time of parole eligibility, unless information supplied in the report filed pursuant to section 10 of P.L.1979, c.441 (C. 30:4-123.54) or developed or produced at a hearing held pursuant to section 11 of P.L.1979, c.441 (C.30:4-123.55) indicates by a preponderance of the evidence that the inmate has failed to cooperate in his or her own rehabilitation or that there is a reasonable expectation that the inmate will violate conditions of parole imposed pursuant to section 15 of P.L.1979, c.441 (C.30:4-123.59) if released on parole at that time. In reaching such determination, the board panel or board shall state on the record the reasons therefor.

    b. A juvenile inmate shall be released on parole when it shall appear that the juvenile, if released, will not cause injury to persons or substantial injury to property.

    2. Section 12 of P.L.1979, c.441 (C.30:4-123.56) is amended to read as follows:

C.30:4-123.56 Schedule of future parole eligibility dates; statement of denial.

    12. a. The board shall develop a schedule of future parole eligibility dates for adult inmates denied release at their eligibility date. In developing such schedule, particular emphasis shall be placed on the severity of the offense for which he was denied parole and on the characteristics of the offender, such as, but not limited to, the prior criminal record of the inmate and the need for continued incapacitation of the inmate.

    b. If the release on the eligibility date is denied, the board panel which conducted the hearing shall refer to the schedule published pursuant to subsection a., and include in its statement denying parole notice of the date of future parole consideration. If such date differs from the date otherwise established by the schedule, the board panel shall include particular reasons therefor. The future parole eligibility date shall not be altered to take into account remissions of sentence for good behavior and diligent application to work and other assignments; provided however, the future parole eligibility date may be altered pursuant to section 8 of P.L.1979, c. 441 (C.30:4-123.52).

    c. An inmate shall be released on parole on the new parole eligibility date unless information filed pursuant to a procedure identical to that set forth in section 10 of P.L.1979, c.441 (C.30:4-123.54) indicates by a preponderance of the evidence that the inmate has failed to cooperate in his or her own rehabilitation or that there is a reasonable expectation that the inmate will violate conditions of parole imposed pursuant to section 15 of P.L.1979, c.441 (C.30:4-123.59)if released on parole at that time. The determination of whether the inmate shall be released on the new parole eligibility date shall be made pursuant to the procedure set forth in section 11 of P.L.1979, c.441 (C.30:4-123.55) and this section.

    3. This act shall take effect immediately.

    Approved August 18, 1997.