Bill > A6053

This bill requires the New Jersey Department of Corrections (DOC) to establish and implement standards for prison cell sizes that meet or exceed guidelines from the American Correctional Association (ACA). The bill defines "unencumbered space" as usable space not occupied by furnishings or fixtures and "square footage" as the total cell area minus the space taken up by fixtures and equipment. Specifically, the bill mandates that single-occupancy cells must provide a minimum of 35 square feet of unencumbered space with a ceiling height of at least eight feet, while multiple-occupancy cells must offer at least 25 square feet of unencumbered space per occupant, also with an eight-foot minimum ceiling height. The DOC is required to adopt rules and regulations to implement these standards through the Administrative Procedure Act, and the bill will take effect 25 months after enactment, allowing the department time to prepare and adjust prison housing units accordingly. This legislation stems from a recommendation by the Office of the Corrections Ombudsperson to establish minimum habitability standards for prison housing units, addressing a current gap in state regulations regarding cell sizes.

Military Affairs and Security

https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/A6053