WHEREAS, there are several bills currently pending before the Legislature seeking to reform different aspects of the present parole system; and

WHEREAS, the problems of the parole system command that they be addressed in a comprehensive and uniform manner; and

WHEREAS, in consultation with the Senate President and the Speaker of the General Assembly, I conclude that the parole system must be thoroughly reviewed before legislation is enacted to reform it;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, CHRISTINE TODD WHITMAN, Governor of the State of New Jersey, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and by the Statutes of this State, do hereby ORDER and DIRECT as follows:

1. There is hereby established a commission to be known as the Study Commission on Parole (hereby referred to as the "Commission"). The Commission shall consist of 15 members to be appointed as follows: three public members appointed by the President of the Senate, no more than two of whom shall be of the same political party; three public members appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly, no more than two of whom shall be of the same political party; nine members to be appointed by the Governor including as follows: the Commissioner of the Department of Corrections, the Attorney General, two County Prosecutors, the Director of the Administrative Office of the Courts, one member of the State Parole Board, and one crime victim or concerned citizen. The chairperson and vice-chairperson of the Commission shall also be appointed by the Governor. The Commission shall undertake a thorough study of the parole system and shall make recommendations on how to improve the parole system.

The Commission shall meet as soon as practicable after the appointment of its members. Vacancies in the membership shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointments were made.

2. The Commission shall organize as soon as possible after the appointment of its members. The chairperson shall appoint a secretary who need not be a member of the commission.

3. The Commission is authorized to call upon any department, offices or agency of State government to provide such information, resources or other assistance deemed necessary to discharge its responsibilities under this Order. Each department, officer, division and agency of the State is hereby required to cooperate with the Commission and to furnish it with such information, personnel and assistance as is necessary to accomplish the purposes of this Order.

4. The Commission shall file a report with the Governor and the Legislature with recommendations for any legislative bills within one year after the first meeting of the Commission.

5. This Order shall take effect immediately.

GIVEN, under my hand and seal,
this 25th day of July in the Year of
Our Lord, one thousand nine hundred
and ninety-five, and of the Independence
of the United States, the two hundred
and nineteenth.

/s/ Christine Todd Whitman
Governor

Attest:

/s/ Margaret M. Foti
Chief Counsel to the Governor