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A
philosopher once wrote that sometimes we have to travel a
long way to cover a short distance. I found myself contemplating
those words on the afternoon of April 5, 2002, the day I was
sworn in as commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Corrections
by Governor McGreevey. Twenty-eight years earlier, I commenced
my professional career right here in the Garden State.
I
find myself at the helm of a department charged with ensuring
that those committed to state correctional institutions are
confined with the level of custody necessary to protect the
public. At the same time, it is our responsibility to provide
offenders with the care, training and treatment required to
prepare them for successful reintegration into the community.
Furthermore, I believe our mission also includes the obligation
to help young people avert crime. In essence, we would like
to put ourselves out of business by helping to close the front
doors of our institutions through the prevention of crime.
As
I reflect on the first months of my administration, I am encouraged
by our many successes and determined to continue down a path
that will enable this department to continue making a positive
difference in the lives of offenders as well as the communities
in which we live. In order to accomplish the many objectives
that have
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