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Study: Parole System In NJ Could Be Improved

By David Madden

TRENTON, N.J. (CBS) - A newly released independent study on New Jersey's parole system suggests it could use some work.

The Pew Charitable Trusts' Public Safety Performance Project examined the recidivism rate for prison inmates released early verses those who did all their time.

ryan king
Ryan King (Credit: The Pew Charitable Trusts)

"Inmates released to parole supervision are less likely to be re-arrested, re-convicted and re-incarcerated for new crimes than inmates who serve or max out their full prison sentences," Project research director Ryan King says.

The difference? More than a third. But many people on parole wind up returning to jail for technical violations, like missing appointments or failing drug tests.

Take that into account, and the recidivism numbers are just about even.

Ryan hopes the report sparks a discussion within the corrections system on reforming parole rules to provide lesser penalties for administrative infractions.

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