TRENTON — Gov. Chris Christie, in his State of the State address last week, called for “second-chance’’ laws, giving substance abusers an opportunity for treatment ahead of jail time. The Republican governor received support from key Democratic lawmakers Monday.
Senators Raymond J. Lesniak, D-Union, and Sandra Bolden Cunningham, D-Hudson, announced a package of bills they’re sponsoring to reform segments of the state’s criminal justice system and provide for rehabilitation of offenders.
One of the bills amends the existing statute to give judges and prosecutors additional discretion to admit certain offenders into a “drug court” program to emphasize substance abuse treatment over incarceration.
Christie says drug courts, which are operated in a handful of counties, should be expanded to all of the state’s 21 counties.
“The four bills we are announcing today are designed to reduce waste and inefficiency in our criminal justice system and redirect resources to better protect the public by reducing repeat offenses,” Lesniak said in a prepared statement.
The measures also include a bill requiring the State Parole Board to release offenders at the time of parole eligibility, unless the offender has committed a serious disciplinary infraction while incarcerated, or has not participated in rehabilitation programs offered in prison; a bill which amends the liquor licensing law to allow licensees to employ ex-offenders without a special permit; and a bill prohibiting public and private employers from automatically disqualifying ex-offenders from employment.
The bill sponsors said that package of bills is designed to encourage drug treatment and rehabilitation and remove counterproductive barriers to employment of ex-offenders.
Union County Prosecutor Theodore J. Romankow said the changes would be beneficial, and called expansion of the drug courts “an important part of this entire package.‘’
“This legislation aims to stop the cycle of crime, and permits parolees to take an important first step toward productive lives,’’ said Romankow, who added that “nonviolent offenders who suffer from mental illness and addiction should be considered for treatment and diversion from the criminal justice system, when warranted.”
The four bills are currently pending before the Senate Judiciary Committee and the Law and Public Safety Committee.
Identical legislation from Assemblyman Joe Cryan, D-Union, is awaiting action.
Reach Bob Jordan at bjordan@njpressmedia.com
