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)
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.