NCJ Number
88661
Date Published
1982
Length
31 pages
Annotation
To deal with the current and projected overcrowding of its prisons, New Jersey should construct new correctional facilities and make several legislative and administrative changes to provide the correctional system with greater flexibility.
Abstract
The law needs to change to make the parole system realistically applicable to the prisoners in county jails. The maximum sentence which can be imposed as a condition of probation should increase from 180 days to 364 days. The legislature should also authorize an emergency mechanism to permit the acceleration of parole release dates for nonviolent prisoners whose parole eligibility has already been established by the parole board and whose parole dates have already been fixed. The Department of Corrections should also receive permanent authority to use all State and county facilities for the housing of State prisoners. The State also needs an intensive probation system to serve as an alternative to imprisonment for prisoners whose sentences are not for violent crimes and do not involve mandatory minimum sentences. Residential treatment programs for prisoners with alcohol and drug abuse problems are also needed. Work opportunities for State prison inmates should also be expanded. The proposed construction program entails several additional facilities within the State prison complex. Data tables are provided.