Criminal Justice (Corrections) in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 4, 2026

A 4810: Establishes minimum health and safety standards for, and oversight of, State prisons, county jails, and privately-operated secure facilities in New Jersey.

This bill establishes minimum health and safety standards and oversight for state prisons, county jails, and privately-operated secure facilities in New Jersey. It requires privately-run detention centers to obtain a compliance certificate from a new oversight board before they can operate, ensuring they meet specific rules for food, water, sanitation, and space. The legislation mandates concrete conditions such as three daily meals, unlimited clean water, daily access to showers and natural light, and at least 100 square feet of sleeping space per person. Additionally, it guarantees detainees access to legal representation, free communication devices, and regular in-person visitation, including accommodations for children and elderly visitors.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 4, 2026

A 4869: Establishes new offenses concerning unlawful possession and use of credit card scanners.

This New Jersey bill creates new criminal penalties for individuals who illegally possess or use devices designed to read information from credit and debit cards. Under the proposed law, simply owning such a scanner without a legal reason would be a disorderly persons offense punishable by fines or up to six months in jail. Using the device for unlawful purposes carries much heavier consequences, classified as a second-degree crime that could result in fines up to $150,000 or five to ten years in prison. The legislation directly targets the equipment used to steal financial data from payment cards, aiming to increase the legal risks associated with these activities.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✗ Technology

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 4, 2026

S 4085: Establishes Second Chance Program in charge of providing opportunities through labor organizations for formerly incarcerated individuals.

This bill creates a new Second Chance Program within New Jersey's Department of Labor and Workforce Development to help people who have been released from prison find jobs. The program will work directly with labor unions to identify job openings and create plans for hiring formerly incarcerated individuals. By partnering with these organizations, the initiative aims to provide stable career paths and reduce the likelihood of re-offending. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Corrections Workforce Development

passed · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 11, 2026

A 4835: Permits pretrial detention for contempt violation of protective order issued under "Victim's Assistance and Survivor Protection Act."

This bill allows prosecutors to request pretrial detention for defendants who violate protective orders issued under the Victim's Assistance and Survivor Protection Act. It amends existing New Jersey law by adding contempt of such protective orders as a specific ground for holding a defendant in jail before their trial. The legislation establishes a legal presumption that defendants accused of serious crimes should be detained if a judge finds probable cause that they pose a risk to public safety or will not appear in court. While detained, defendants retain the right to legal representation and a hearing to contest the detention, though standard trial evidence rules do not apply during this process.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Domestic Violence

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 23, 2026

A 4803: Requires YJC to publish information regarding juveniles who were waived to adult criminal court and are serving custodial sentences in State juvenile facilities.

This bill requires New Jersey's Youth Justice Commission to create and maintain a public registry of juveniles who were transferred to adult criminal court and are currently serving sentences in state juvenile facilities. The registry will include personal details such as names, sentences, facility locations, release dates, and criminal histories for both juveniles whose cases were waived without their consent and those who elected the waiver. Additionally, the commission must publish biennial reports with aggregated data on offenses, incarceration terms, demographics, and incidents like violence or segregation within these facilities. The law also mandates that the commission publish parole eligibility criteria online and provide this information to each incarcerated juvenile.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Juvenile Justice

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 5, 2026

S 3806: Requires female inmates be provided with family planning services prior to release from correctional facility.

This bill requires the New Jersey Commissioner of Corrections to provide family planning services to female inmates at least 10 days before their release from state correctional facilities. It amends the existing Fair Release and Reentry Act of 2009, which already mandates that all inmates receive various documents and resources to assist with reentry, such as medical records, prescription medications, and information on voting and employment. The provision specifically targets female inmates by adding family planning services to the list of required pre-release resources. This change aims to support women transitioning back into society by ensuring they have access to reproductive health planning before leaving incarceration.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole Women's Health

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 19, 2026

S 3997: Amends statute that criminalizes display of symbols, objects, or graffiti exposing another to threats of violence to specifically include noose, burning cross, or other symbol of hate.

This bill amends New Jersey hate crime laws to explicitly include nooses, burning crosses, and other symbols of hate as criminal threats of violence. It directly affects individuals who place such symbols on private property, expanding the existing statute that already criminalizes graffiti and objects intended to threaten bodily harm. The legislation clarifies that displaying these specific hate symbols constitutes a third-degree crime when placed on private property and a fourth-degree crime when damaging religious, educational, residential, or assembly spaces. In addition to potential jail time or fines, convicted individuals may be required to pay restitution or perform community service to remove the graffiti. The changes take effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Corrections Victims' Rights

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SR 91: Urges Congress to propose amendment to United States Constitution to prohibit use of slavery or indentured servitude for individuals convicted of crime.

This New Jersey Senate Resolution urges Congress to propose a constitutional amendment that would ban the use of slavery and indentured servitude for individuals convicted of crimes. The bill directly addresses the legal exception in the Thirteenth Amendment that currently permits forced labor as punishment for criminal convictions. By calling for a constitutional change, the resolution seeks to eliminate the practice of unpaid or low-wage prison labor and prevent private correctional facilities from profiting from incarcerated workers. The measure would require federal action to remove the loophole that allows slavery and indentured servitude in the criminal justice system.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Corrections Human Trafficking

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 16, 2026

A 4695: Establishes centralized electronic health information exchange infrastructure to facilitate reentry into civilian life for recently incarcerated persons.

This bill creates a centralized electronic system in New Jersey to securely share health records between healthcare providers, correctional facilities, and reentry programs. It requires the New Jersey Health Information Technology Commission to build this infrastructure in consultation with the Department of Health and Department of Corrections. The system would allow patients to request their health information be shared across these different settings with their informed consent, while ensuring all data sharing complies with privacy laws.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 10, 2026

AR 126: Establishes Prison Gang Violence Task Force to study security and safety in State correctional facilities.

This Assembly Resolution establishes a Prison Gang Task Force to study security and safety issues in New Jersey's correctional facilities. The task force will examine topics such as gang prevalence, safety equipment for officers, training adequacy, intelligence gathering methods, and policies for handling incidents. It consists of 11 members appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly, including current and former correctional police officers, legislators, and experts in gang-related activities and facility security. Members serve without pay but may receive expense reimbursements, and the group must organize within 60 days of the resolution's approval.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections Policing Violent Crime

All criminal justice bills