Parole Hearings: Initial, Panel, Rescission and Revocation (New Jersey)

The New Jersey State Parole Board explains that a person becomes eligible for parole consideration after serving one-third of the prison sentence, except where a period of parole ineligibility was imposed, and that eligibility does not mean automatic release. The first step is an initial hearing in which a Division of Release hearing officer reviews professional reports on criminal history and the current offense, social, physical, educational and psychological progress, and an objective risk and needs assessment, then summarizes the case for designated Board members. Next is a panel hearing before two Board members. For crimes committed on or after August 19, 1997 the Parole Act requires that an adult inmate be paroled unless the panel finds they failed to cooperate in their own rehabilitation or that there is a reasonable expectation they will violate parole conditions. Victim input is confidential and the inmate is not told whether any victim testified. If parole is denied the panel sets a Future Eligibility Term.