Sex Offender Unit Ordered Closed/ Who wants it?

by: firstamend07

Mon May 18, 2009 at 05:41:56 PM EDT

This from the Star Ledger:

KEANRY -- New Jersey will have to find a new place to house sexually violent predators currently being held in Hudson County.

An appeals court has given the state corrections department a year to move the offenders from the county correctional facility in Kearny, where they've been held for several years on a temporary basis.

The dispute between the county and state dates back to an executive order issued by former Gov. Christie Whitman in 2000.

Whitman ordered more than 100 offenders classified as sexually violent predators to be housed at Kearny while the state sought a permanent home.

But efforts to relocate the offenders have been defeated by strong local opposition.

Two years ago a huge battle occured in South Jersey as the Department of Corrections tried to sneak the sex offender unit into the largest Prison in the state which is located in Bridgeton. State Senators Sweeney and Van Drew, and Assemblyman Burzichelli successfully won out, but now a court order has said the unit has to be closed and there is little room in the prison system , especailly since Riverfront State prison in Camden has closed , to absorb this unit.

This could be a real political headache for Democrats in Cumberland, Salem and Gloucester counties if Corrections Department officials " dust off " their old plan to move this unit down South.

No one wants it in their back yard and there is no money to purchase land and build a whole new unit .

If it is not absorbed into one of the 13 remaining prisons where will it go? Will your county take it????

firstamend07 :: Sex Offender Unit Ordered Closed/ Who wants it?

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Sex Offender Unit Ordered Closed/ Who wants it? | 3 comments

people may want the jobs more now (0.00 / 0)

But the bottom line is that Cumberland has more than its fair share, and they seem to be against more.

Frank LoBiondo Record and Jon Runyan Watch

by: Hopeful @ Tue May 19, 2009 at 00:41:15 AM UTC

South Jersey battle begins (0.00 / 0)

From todays Vineland Daily Journal:

Sex-offender unit draws fire

Lawmakers say they'll fight any move to place facility in county

From staff reports

TRENTON -- Third District legislators Sen. Stephen M. Sweeney and Assembly members John Burzichelli and Celeste Riley have pledged to fight any proposal to move more than 150 convicted sex offenders from a North Jersey prison to facilities in Cumberland County.

A state appellate court on Monday overturned a 9-year-old executive order setting Hudson County Correctional Facility in Kearny as the home for civilly committed sex offenders. Currently, 158 convicted sex offenders who have completed their sentence but are considered too much of a threat for release are housed at the facility in Hudson County.

"South Jersey came togetherand successfullyfought back against a plan to move these offenders to our community two years ago and we will do it again if necessary," said Sweeney, D-3. "Forcing these pedophiles and sex criminals on Cumberland County was a bad idea two years ago and its still a bad idea today. Any proposal for using South Woods is a nonstarter."

In 2007, the state Department of Corrections said it was considering moving those offenders to South Woods State Prison in Bridgeton. The department had been given one year to find a new home for the offenders.

The South Woods proposal was pulled back after public outcry, but the department has said South Woods could be considered again for the relocation.

by: firstamend07 @ Sat May 23, 2009 at 12:50:13 PM UTC

...but Maurice River might want it (0.00 / 0)

This from todays Bridgeton News:

In January 2008, Maurice River officials expressed interest in housing a new sex-offender unit in their township so as to receive greater financial compensation from the state.

I am sure Assemblymen Albino and Milam , along with State Senator Van Drew will be REAL HAPPY to hear this news fortheir District.

This sex offender unit issue can be a real hot topic in the Assembly races in both the 1st and 3rd Districts. The Republicans will jump on the issue that Democratic Assemblypeople cannot even get their own Democratic governor to stop HIS Corrections Commissioner from possibly moving this unit into South Jersey.

by: firstamend07 @ Sat May 23, 2009 at 13:03:31 PM UTC