The County Prosecutors Association of New Jersey (CPANJ) – a group representing the top prosecutors in each county – oppose Assembly Bill A6206 and Senate Bill S5000, which propose wide-ranging reforms to New Jersey’s parole system.
“While we support efforts to promote successful reentry and reduce unnecessary reincarceration, this legislation, as drafted, raises profound concerns for victim rights, public safety, accountability, and the integrity of the parole process,” said Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer, president of the CPANJ, in a letter to the bills’ sponsors.
Assembly Bill A6206 was introduced on Dec. 8 sponsored by Assemblywoman Shanique Speight of District 29 in Essex and Hudson counties.
S5000 was introduced on Dec. 15 with primary sponsors Andrew Zwicker of District 16 (Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Somerset) and Benjie E. Wimberly of District 35 (Bergen and Passaic) and co-sponsored by Raj Mukherji of District 32 in Hudson and Britnee N. Timberlake of District 34 in Essex.
Billhimer outlined CPANJ’s principal concerns in a release on Dec. 12 noting the state’s parole system is “recognized as one of the most effective in the nation.”
New Jersey’s structured approach with graduated sanctions prior to revocation has proven effective in reducing recidivism without compromising community well-being,” he said. “The New Jersey model has resulted in parole revocation statistics of approximately 6%, which is well below the national average of 10%.
“It should be noted that of the 6% of parole revocations that have occurred, the vast majority involved NERA (No Early Release Act) offenses and sex offenses which are arguably the most violent offenses in New Jersey.
“These offenders would be the primary beneficiaries of this lenient legislation.”
The proposed legislation creates potential public safety risks instead of reducing them, Billhimer said.
“Limiting the ability to revoke parole for serious and persistent infractions, that, under this legislation, are defined as mere ‘technical violations’ not subject to revocation, undermines the authority of the parole board and weakens the guardrails set to reduce recidivism and protect the public,” he said.
Prosecutors caution that restricting swift and appropriate consequences for persistent noncompliance weakens parole supervision and increases risk to the public.
The bills also significantly expand compliance credits, potentially shortening parole supervision for serious offenders without tying those credits to measurable rehabilitation. In addition, CPANJ warns the legislation lacks meaningful safeguards to ensure victims are informed, protected, and heard throughout the parole process.
“The overall impact of this legislation undermines the deterrent effect of parole oversight,” Billhimer said.
On Dec. 15, Gloucester County Prosecutor Andrew B. Johns released a press release joining his colleagues at CPANJ. The County of Gloucester complies with all state and federal rules and regulations against discrimination in admission to, access to, or operations of its programs, services, and activities. In addition, County encourages participation of people with disabilities in its programs and activities and offers special services to all residents 60 years of age and older. Inquiries regarding compliance may be directed to the County’s ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) Coordinator at 856-384-6842/ New Jersey Relay Service 711.
“Our responsibility is to protect the public while also supporting reentry and rehabilitation,” Johns said. “This legislation limits the tools that have proven effective in supervising offenders who have committed serious violent offenses.”
CPANJ wrote that the legislation would “weaken public safety protections, reduce accountability for parolees, erode long-standing victim rights, and limit the ability of parole officers to intervene appropriately in high-risk situations.”
For these reasons, CPANJ “strongly opposes” the legislation.
