Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 6, March 18, 2024
(a) The Residential Community Reintegration Program programs under contract with the New Jersey Department of Corrections are responsible to comply with the Fair Release and Reentry Act of 2009 (P.L. 2009, c. 329), which was enacted on June 15, 2020 to assist inmates in obtaining necessary reentry benefits.
(b) Each contract agency is responsible for establishing policies and procedures for discharge planning requirements for their respective Residential Community Reintegration Program programs in accordance with the Fair Release and Reentry Act of 2009 (P.L. 2009, c. 329). These efforts are congruent with New Jersey Department of Corrections discharge planning practices that include required reentry benefits for all inmates.
(c) Mandatory discharge planning shall include, but is not limited to, that:
1. All inmates must be offered the opportunity to apply for reentry benefits through a Medicaid online application;
2. All inmates must be offered the opportunity to apply for reentry benefits through the New Jersey General Assistance/Supplemental Nutrition Program (SNAP) online application process;
3. Inmates identified as homeless during the discharge planning process must be appropriately assisted with housing assistance and referrals that ultimately result in a confirmed place to stay upon release; and
4. Any inmate who is identified as homeless on an emergency basis (that is, last minute housing arrangement change, release date change) shall be immediately referred to the New Jersey Work First Program's established Emergency Housing Assistance Hotline.
(d) Mandatory release information must be provided to each inmate at least 10 days prior to release. The New Jersey Department of Corrections will provide certain information for the inmates in the Residential Community Reintegration Program and other information is required to be created and/or disseminated by the Residential Community Reintegration Program. This information shall include, but is not limited to:
1. A copy of the inmate criminal history record and written information on the right to have criminal records expunged pursuant to N.J.S.A. 52:2C;
2. General written information on the inmate's right to vote pursuant to N.J.S.A. 19:4-1;
3. General written information on the availability of programs, including faith-based and secular programs that would assist in removing barriers to inmate employment or participation in vocational or educational rehabilitative programs including, but not limited to, information concerning the Rehabilitated Convicted Offenders Act, P.L. 1968, c. 282 (N.J.S.A. 2A:168A-1 et seq.), and the Certificate of Rehabilitation pursuant to P.L. 2007, c. 327(N.J.S.A. 2A:168A-7 et seq.);
4. A detailed written record of the inmate participation in educational, training, employment, and medical or other treatment programs while the inmate was incarcerated;
5. A written accounting of the fines, assessments, surcharges, restitution, penalties, child support arrearages, and any other obligations due and payable;
6. A copy of the inmate's birth certificate, if the inmate was born in New Jersey;
7. Assistance in obtaining a Social Security card;
8. A non-driver's identification card, which shall be issued by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission and for which the Motor Vehicle Commission shall accept a former New Jersey Department of Corrections inmate identification card to have a two-point value in applying for the non-driver's identification card;
9. A one-day New Jersey bus or rail pass;
10. A two-week supply of prescription medications;
11. General written information concerning child support, including child support payments owed by the inmate, information on how to seek child support payments, and information on where to seek services regarding child support, child custody, and establishing parentage; and
12. A medical discharge summary, which shall include instructions on how to obtain from the Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Corrections, a copy of the full medical record at no charge to the inmate.
(e) The Residential Community Reintegration Program must confirm compliance with the Fair Release and Reentry Act of 2009, by providing a signed Fair Release and Reentry Act of 2009 RCRP Supplemental Form, signed by the inmate prior to release indicating the inmate received the required discharge planning and release information.
1. The form shall be emailed to designated personnel in the Office of Community Programs within 24 hours of inmate release.
