Bill > A2308

This bill mandates that the State Parole Board release certain adult inmates at their initial parole eligibility date, even if they would normally be subject to stricter review. Specifically, an inmate must be released if they have not been previously convicted of or adjudicated delinquent for crimes listed as serious under the No Early Release Act (N.J.S.2C:43-7.2), have not committed serious disciplinary infractions during their current incarceration, and have fully participated in or cooperated with prescribed treatment programs, or attempted to do so but were prevented by circumstances beyond their control. The No Early Release Act is a law that prevents parole for inmates convicted of certain violent crimes until they have served a significant portion of their sentence. For inmates meeting these new criteria, a parole hearing is not required, and they will be supervised by the Division of Parole, subject to standard parole conditions, with provisions for revocation if parole conditions are violated. Additionally, any cost savings resulting from this bill are to be allocated by the Commissioner of Corrections to the Office of Victim Services for programs supporting victims and inmate reentry.