Study Suggests Changes to Parole in NJ

A new study of crime in New Jersey suggests the state may see crime drop with policies that would avoid sending parolees back to prison for minor violations.

The study funded by The Pew Charitable Trusts' Public Safety Performance Project found that ex-inmates released on parole were 36 percent less likely to commit new crimes than those who served their full terms in prison.

But many parolees end up back in custody after violating parole conditions by missing appointments or failing drug tests.

Pew project research director Ryan King says tells The Star-Ledger that the state should look into a graduated series of sanctions for parole violators so fewer of them are returned to prison.

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