Schroeder Supports Christie's Conditional Veto of Early-Release Bill

Governor Christie's conditional veto of early release legislation sends a strong message that New Jersey's priorities remain with victims and public safety, not criminals, said Assemblyman Bob Schroeder, a proponent of strong parole laws.

"Recent events have tragically demonstrated the danger of having weakened parole laws. They should be stronger before another life is lost," Schroeder, R-Bergen, said. "We need to make sure that crime victims are not re-victimized by these mandates for frequent parole board hearings."

Governor Christie conditionally vetoed today, S-2308, which would give the Parole Board greater discretion to schedule another parole eligibility for inmates who were denied parole. The legislation would expand the maximum wait from three to 10 years. The Governor's changes would eliminate any maximum on the number of years a violent criminal would have to wait for another parole hearing, as well as remove the controversial and dangerous law that allows violent criminals to be eligible for early release.

 "Requiring automatic parole hearings at any interval not set by the State Parole Board, and not based on the board’s judgment of the facts of each offender’s case, perpetuates a system that values bureaucracy over rehabilitation at the expense of innocent victims," Christie said in a statement.

The changes would correct a controversial early release law Governor Corzine signed on his last day in office.

"Governor Christie's changes would reverse soft-on-crime measures that have allowed violent criminals out on the streets to commit more crimes," Schroeder said. "The Legislature should enact Governor Christie's changes immediately and send a strong message that our priority is protecting victims and public safety, not criminals."

Schroeder, a longtime advocate for crime victims, is the founder of Keep NJ Safe, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and protecting victims' rights. In October, he wrote a letter opposing the early release of a driver charged with two counts of vehicular homicide. The Parole Board released the driver, who was originally sentenced to 18 months, after serving just 10 months, despite opposition from the family of the victim, 15-year-old Kevin Beattie.

Schroeder, along with Assemblymen Dave Rible, R-Monmouth, recently announced they would introduce legislation to eliminate the state's controversial early release program for violent criminals, which Governor Christie has blamed for two killings - one in Jersey City and the other in Camden - allegedly committed by inmates released ahead of schedule. The governor's veto would fix the situation.

"Relaxed parole laws are a threat to public safety," Schroeder said. "Mandating frequent parole hearings take an emotional and financial toll on innocent victims and their families, who have already suffered enough. Our justice system should punish criminals, not victims."