For immediate release: January 24, 2008
Contact: media@famm.org
Families Against Mandatory Minimums supports special probation legislation
TRENTON: Families Against Mandatory Minimums (FAMM) today gave its support to amendments to the special probation statute that would allow more drug-addicted New Jerseyans to participate in cost-effective, court-supervised drug treatment programs instead of incarceration. The amendments would implement recommendations on expanding the special probation statute made by the New Jersey Commission to Review Criminal Sentencing.
The amendments to S. 233 and S. 504, sponsored by Senators John H. Adler and Shirley K. Turner, expand the special probation statute to increase the number of addicted offenders eligible for substance abuse treatment. Individuals with substance abuse problems who are convicted of drug-related crimes that carry mandatory minimum sentences or presumptive incarceration could be diverted into residential and non-residential treatment programs administered by the court.
"FAMM supports the amendments because they will help more nonviolent drug offenders address their substance abuse problems directly, giving them a second chance to become productive members of society. Expanding the special probation statute will also save money and make our state safer by reducing recidivism,” said Joseph Greer, director of FAMM’s New Jersey project.
A General Accounting Office (GAO) report on drug courts recently found that recidivism rates are lower for individuals who complete drug court than for those sent to prison or placed on regular probation. The New Jersey Commission to Review Criminal Sentencing found that drug courts can save tax dollars by diverting nonviolent drug offenders away from state prisons. In New Jersey, there are roughly 7,848 state prisoners incarcerated for drug offenses. It costs $34,750 each year to incarcerate versus $19,800 a year for an intensive drug court program.
“Effective alternatives like drug courts complement FAMM’s work to reform New Jersey’s drug-free zone laws,” said Greer. In addition to the amendments being considered today, drug-free zone reform enjoys wide bipartisan support, including the GEAR Task Force and the state’s prosecutors. We hope that the legislature will take the next step and pass drug-free zone reform as soon as possible in the new legislative session,” concluded Greer.
Families Against Mandatory Minimums (FAMM) is a national, nonpartisan nonprofit organization that advocates for fair and proportionate sentences and supports efforts to provide judges with sentencing alternatives, such as treatment and drug courts, in appropriate cases. Contact Joseph Greer at (609) 577-9520, or via email jgreer@famm.org.
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