TRENTON — Gov. Chris Christie on Wednesday accelerated the repeal of a controversial early release program for prison inmates while also seeking to broaden the Parole Board’s discretion to review cases. His actions were part of a wide-ranging conditional veto, a powerful tool that allows the governor to recommend changes to legislation. If the state Senate accepts the changes...
N.J. Gov. Chris Christie in this Oct. 15 file photo.TRENTON — Gov. Chris Christie on Wednesday accelerated the repeal of a controversial early release program for prison inmates while also seeking to broaden the Parole Board’s discretion to review cases.
His actions were part of a wide-ranging conditional veto, a powerful tool that allows the governor to recommend changes to legislation.
If the state Senate accepts the changes Christie made to a Democratic bill Wednesday, the state would no longer release some inmates six months before their sentences are scheduled to end. In addition, the Parole Board would not have to hold hearings for inmates at regular intervals.
The recommendations could roll back two critical pieces of a law signed by then-Gov. Jon Corzine on his last day in office.
The early release program in particular has drawn a firestorm of controversy after two inmates who were allowed out of prison months early were accused of murder.
"Whatever original policy or principle motivated passage of this law, it failed to adequately consider the safety of the public," Christie said in a statement. "In recent months we have seen the horrific consequences of the early release law, which is why we must not wait any longer to take action and change it."
Assemblywoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-Mercer), who sponsored the early release program, did not return a phone message Wednesday. She has previously said it’s wrong to blame the program for actions of individuals. "Legislation doesn’t kill people," she said in a recent statement.
The governor’s conditional veto does not unilaterally halt the early releases — 11 inmates are scheduled to be allowed out through the program today. As of Wednesday, 261 inmates have been released early since the program began on Jan. 3.
Chris Donnelly, a spokesman for the Senate Democrats, said Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D-Gloucester) "has not had an opportunity to review the governor’s veto, but he considers this a serious matter and will do so as soon as possible."
Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver (D-Essex) said the program needs to be changed.
"The legislative intent was a worthy one. But I do believe it warrants reexamination," she said. "No one wants to see violent offenders, or those that have been convicted of egregious offenses, released early from those sentences."
Richard Pompelio, executive director of the New Jersey Crime Victims’ Law Center, said the program was rushed through the Legislature.
"I don’t think they’re establishing enough safeguards before they’re letting these people out of prison," he said.
Christie’s conditional veto was issued in response to a bill (S2308) that would lengthen the time period between mandatory parole hearings.
The law signed by Corzine on his last day in office grants inmates reviews every three years; the bill would have stretched that to 10 years. But Christie said such requirements should be eliminated because the Parole Board should have more discretion in whether to award reviews.
"Requiring automatic parole hearings at any interval not set by the State Parole Board, and not based on the board’s judgment of the facts of each offender’s case, perpetuates a system that values bureaucracy over rehabilitation at the expense of innocent victims," Christie said in a statement.
Sen. Loretta Weinberg (D-Bergen), who sponsored the law Christie is modifying, said she’s open to the changes.
"I haven’t seen it so I’ll reserve final judgment, but from what I’ve been told, the changes in this case sound reasonable," she said.
MaryAnn Spoto contributed to this report.