The Star-Ledger
By Chris Megerian/Statehouse Bureau January 11, 2010

TRENTON -- Lawmakers approved today three bills aimed at reducing the number of former inmates returning to prison.

The legislation (A4202 and A4197) would allow ex-offenders to receive welfare benefits and require most inmates to receive job training and high school educations while behind bars.

The third bill (A4201) would ensure inmates receive copies of personal documents like birth certificates upon release.

The legislation now goes to the governor for final approval. All three bills, estimated to cost $6 million, were slimmed down to win the approval of cost-conscious lawmakers. For example, provisions to expand training for prison officers were dropped.

"Is there more I would like to be seen done? By all means," said Cornell Brooks, executive director of the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice. "But what is being done is very important."

Brooks said New Jersey will save more money down the line by passing the legislation. By offering inmates and ex-offenders more opportunities, he said, they're less likely to commit new crimes and return to prison. New Jersey has about 25,600 state inmates, and it costs an average of $48,000 per year to keep each incarcerated.

Assemblyman Jon Bramnick (R-Union) was one of the opponents. “While there may be some parts of the legislation that make sense from a public policy perspective, the costs related to these measures are something New Jersey simply cannot afford,” he said.