News Reports Depict Widespread Problems with Escapes, Drugs, Gangs & Sexual Abuse
(TRENTON) – Assembly Law and Public Safety Chairman Charles Mainor (D-Hudson) on Monday released the following statement on reports about widespread problems in the state’s halfway homes, including escapes, gangs, drugs and sexual abuse:
“These reports raise serious questions about the Christie administration’s ability to properly oversee these facilities.
“No one disagrees with the intention of helping people re-enter society as productive citizens, but when escapes, gang activity, drugs and sexual abuse are widespread, something is terribly wrong and unacceptable. Public safety is paramount, as should be the welfare of employees and inmates trying to make their lives better, but those goals seem to have fallen by the wayside.
“The Christie administration needs to hold itself accountable.
“I plan to call hearings into these concerns and tour these halfway homes and am prepared to take whatever legislative action is necessary to remedy these problems. I expect Gov. Christie and his administration to fully cooperate with our efforts.”