GOP legislators start efforts to repeal early release program in N.J. prisons

Gov. Christie blamed the program for 2 killings in Jersey City, Camden allegedly committed by inmates released ahead of schedule.

Noah Addis/The Star-LedgerState Senator Diane Allen (R-Burlington) is leading the push to repeal the state's early release program.

TRENTON — Republican lawmakers have launched their push to repeal the state’s controversial early release program which allows some inmates out of prison six months early.

Gov. Chris Christie has blamed the program for two killings — one in Jersey City and the other in Camden — allegedly committed by inmates released ahead of schedule.

Sen. Diane Allen (R-Burlington) sent a letter to Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D-Gloucester) today urging him to post her one-page bill (S2814) next month.

Without the early release program, suspects Rondell Jones and Brandon Isler "would still be in jail and their victims would still be alive," she wrote. "I feel very strongly that the Legislature must act on this bill hastily, as too many lives have already been lost due to this law."

Assemblyman David Rible (R-Monmouth) is pushing the Assembly version of the bill.

The program was originally sponsored by Assemblywoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-Mercer). Neither Sweeney nor Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver (D-Essex) took a stance on it today.

Oliver voted for the program last year; Sweeney did not vote. The bill passed largely along party lines and was signed by then-Gov. Jon Corzine on his last day in office.

Coleman has said she doesn’t think the Parole Board is adequately tracking the inmates who are released early.

A leading victims advocate, Richard Pompelio, is also pushing to repeal the program.

"While the intent and spirit of a progressive program of prisoner re-entry is laudable, its benefits must be weighed against its negative impact on all of the people of New Jersey," he wrote to Coleman. "The early release of violent offenders has already demonstrated a major flaw in the legislation that must be addressed immediately and before any more lives are taken."

Previous coverage:

• Criticism of early-release program escalates as N.J. records show another slaying attributed to ex-inmate

• Christie cites recent slaying in push to end early-release program for N.J. prisoners

• Gov. Christie calls for elimination of early-release program for N.J. prisoners

• Gov. Christie's office pushes N.J. assemblywoman to alter early inmate release legislation