December 3, 2009
 | RIBLE: PRISON REFORM NEEDED BEFORE |
Assemblyman Dave Rible, R-Monmouth, said the proposed anti-recidivism legislation that was released from the Assembly Appropriations Committee today is not what the state should be focusing on in its effort to reform New Jersey’s prison system.
Citing the May 2009 State Commission of Investigation report that called for an overhaul of the Department of Corrections’ investigative arm and better tracking of inmate finances, Rible said the bills’ sponsors should be targeting these kinds of prison reforms before considering anti-recidivism legislation.
“The SCI report details how some of the incarcerated openly exploit fundamental weaknesses in the inmate trust accounts,” said Rible. “These accounts are manipulated for the purpose of purchasing narcotics, money laundering and extortion.
“Instead of correcting this flaw, one proposal would permit inmates to increase their account balance and continue to allow millions of dollars to flow through this leaky channel without any meaningful oversight,” stated Rible. “Checking accounts could be opened for inmates by someone outside of jail and money deposited into that account. That is a recipe for perpetuating criminal activity.”
According to the SCI findings, more than $64 million was deposited in these types of trust accounts, which are similar to bank accounts, between 2004 and 2008. The 14 state prisons in New Jersey each have unique accounting practices that lead to lax and disorganized oversight.
“Our primary focus should be on implementing reforms identified by the SCI,” continued Rible. “With findings that indicate violent gangs are flourishing in jail, I am astounded that the priority of Assemblywoman Watson Coleman and the other sponsors is to increase an inmate’s account balance and provide for easier phone access when significant changes are needed to keep the incarcerated from exploiting the weaknesses identified by the SCI.
“Gang activity is especially rampant in the prison system and changes must be made to eliminate the nefarious activity that takes place inside a correctional facility,” said Rible. “Until those changes take place, any legislation pertaining to anti-recidivism should be tabled.”
Rible also reiterated his concern about the cost involved when the bills were heard in the Law and Public Safety Committee last week.
“The estimates for implementing some of these measures could approach, or exceed $15 million,” commented Rible. “That is money we don’t have and something the taxpayers can’t afford. That should catch everyone’s attention. New Jersey’s financial condition necessitates that we freeze spending, not add to it.”
“The latest revenue figures indicate that our fiscal coffers could be short by over $1 billion in this year alone,” said Rible. “We shouldn’t be making any short-term or long-term spending commitments until our economy shows signs of recovery. Today’s approval of more spending means people are not heeding the call to exercise fiscal restraint.”
