|
|
| Gov. Christie calls for better inspections of halfway houses in wake of newspaper report |
| By nj.com - Jenna Portnoy and James Queally |
| Published: 06/19/2012 |
|
TRENTON — Gov. Chris Christie on Monday downplayed his administration’s responsibility for problems at the state’s halfway houses that were documented in a newspaper report, but promised to inspect all facilities. The New York Times, in a series that began Sunday, detailed escapes, drug use, lax security and violence — including sexual assaults — at facilities intended to transition individuals back into the community, often after serving jail time. The report said since 2005, there have been about 5,100 escapes from the state’s halfway houses, many run by Community Education Center. Christie on Monday called on Department of Corrections Commissioner Gary Lanigan "to immediately step up inspections of all halfway houses" and report violations and recommendations Deborah Gramiccioni, his deputy chief of staff for policy. The Republican governor also stressed the state "has been on the cutting edge of pursuing policies that both ensure our most violent offenders stay off the streets ... and support a more rehabilitative approach focused on nonviolent offenders." Assemblyman Law and Public Safety Committee Chairman Charles Mainor (D-Hudson) announced plans to call hearings on the issue, saying the reports raises "serious questions about the Christie administration’s ability to properly oversee these facilities." Escapes and poor security at halfway houses has been a concern to law enforcement for at least a decade, union leaders say. State Comptroller Matthew Boxer issued a report last year that documented loose oversight over many halfway houses. Joe Amato, president of the Essex County Corrections Officers Union Local 382, said facilities like Delaney Hall in Newark and the Bo Robinson Education & Training Center in Trenton are in cities that have undergone police cutbacks in the past two years, making the threat of escapes more dangerous for residents. Anthony Weiners, president of the State’s Patrolmen Benevolent’s Association, said private facilities have minimal state supervision, allowing them to become breeding grounds for drugs and gangs. "Our correctional officers are some of the best trained and most qualified personnel to handle these challenging situations," he said. "These for profit institutions are about bottom lines not public safety." Read More. |
MARKETPLACE search vendors | advanced search
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
|
Comments:
No comments have been posted for this article.
Login to let us know what you think