M-1093-19

M-1093-19 In the Matter of the Request to Modify Prison Sentences, Expedite Parole Hearings, and Identify Vulnerable Prisoners (084412)

Through this application, the Court considers a request by the Office of the Public Defender and the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey seeking relief relating to the spread of COVID-19 in state prison and juvenile facilities. Specifically, the applicants sought a framework under which judges or court-appointed special masters would decide whether to grant release or a furlough in individual cases after considering any objections for the early release of several groups of inmates: adults and juveniles serving a sentence that will expire in the next year; individuals eligible for parole; and any defendant who is particularly vulnerable to COVID-19.

• Order to Show Cause Filed : May 11, 2020
• Argued: May 27, 2020
• Decided: June 5, 2020