WHEREAS, there
are several bills currently pending before the Legislature seeking
to reform different aspects of the present parole system; and
WHEREAS, the
problems of the parole system command that they be addressed in
a comprehensive and uniform manner; and
WHEREAS, in
consultation with the Senate President and the Speaker of the General
Assembly, I conclude that the parole system must be thoroughly reviewed
before legislation is enacted to reform it;
NOW, THEREFORE,
I, CHRISTINE TODD WHITMAN, Governor of the State of New Jersey,
by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and
by the Statutes of this State, do hereby ORDER and DIRECT as follows:
1. There
is hereby established a commission to be known as the Study Commission
on Parole (hereby referred to as the "Commission"). The Commission
shall consist of 15 members to be appointed as follows: three
public members appointed by the President of the Senate, no more
than two of whom shall be of the same political party; three public
members appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly, no more
than two of whom shall be of the same political party; nine members
to be appointed by the Governor including as follows: the Commissioner
of the Department of Corrections, the Attorney General, two County
Prosecutors, the Director of the Administrative Office of the
Courts, one member of the State Parole Board, and one crime victim
or concerned citizen. The chairperson and vice-chairperson of
the Commission shall also be appointed by the Governor. The Commission
shall undertake a thorough study of the parole system and shall
make recommendations on how to improve the parole system.
The Commission
shall meet as soon as practicable after the appointment of its
members. Vacancies in the membership shall be filled in the same
manner as the original appointments were made.
2. The Commission
shall organize as soon as possible after the appointment of its
members. The chairperson shall appoint a secretary who need not
be a member of the commission.
3. The Commission
is authorized to call upon any department, offices or agency of
State government to provide such information, resources or other
assistance deemed necessary to discharge its responsibilities
under this Order. Each department, officer, division and agency
of the State is hereby required to cooperate with the Commission
and to furnish it with such information, personnel and assistance
as is necessary to accomplish the purposes of this Order.
4. The Commission
shall file a report with the Governor and the Legislature with
recommendations for any legislative bills within one year after
the first meeting of the Commission.
5. This
Order shall take effect immediately.
GIVEN,
under my hand and seal,
this 25th day of July in the Year of
Our Lord, one thousand nine hundred
and ninety-five, and of the Independence
of the United States, the two hundred
and nineteenth.
/s/
Christine Todd Whitman
Governor
Attest:
/s/ Margaret
M. Foti
Chief Counsel to the Governor
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