ISP is a program available to certain state inmates. It allows inmates to rejoin the community under close supervision. A panel of judges will review your application and your re-entry plan. Special probation offices will ensure that you follow the plan. It is intense and very strict. You need to be fully committed to the program to succeed. There are several types of crimes that do not qualify for ISP.
What is the Intensive Supervision Program?
The Intensive Supervision Program (ISP) is a choice that certain state prison inmates are allowed to work their way back into the community under intensive supervision. To be allowed into the program, you must show that you can follow the program's strict rules. Inmates must present a plan that their return to the community will result in a positive social adjustment and will not jeopardize public’s safety.
By no means is ISP a "slap on the wrist." It is "intense." For that reason, this program is not suited for everyone serving a prison term, and success is not a sure thing. But for those who do succeed, the program can be a life altering experience.
Features of the New Jersey Intensive Supervision Program:
Regular contact with your ISP officer
A plan for life in the community
Drug testing
Employment, schooling, or job training
Community service
Firm curfew rules
Drug, alcohol and mental health treatment.
Required payments towards court fines, fees and other financial duties
Crimes Not Eligible
Entry to ISP is not a given. All persons sentenced to state prison are allowed to apply, except for those convicted of certain crimes.
Chapter 11 - All OffensesAny applicant whose current conviction is included in Chapter 11 of the New Jersey Code of Criminal Justice is not eligible to participate in the program.
Chapter 15 - RobberyAny applicant whose current conviction is included in Chapter 15 of New Jersey Code -0f Criminal Justice) titled Robbery, is not eligible to participate in the program.
Chapter 14 - Sexual OffenseAny applicant whose current conviction is included in Chapter 14 of the New Jersey Code of Criminal Justice, titled Sexual Offenses, is not eligible to participate in the program.
Chapter 27 - Bribery And Corrupt InfluenceAny applicant whose current conviction is included in Chapter 27 of the New Jersey Code of Criminal Justice, titled Bribery and Corrupt Influence, or whose conviction involves underlying facts that demonstrate a violation of Chapter 27 of the New Jersey Code of Criminal Justice. This also includes any applicant whose current conviction involves a Criminal Attempt pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2C:5-1 or Conspiracy pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2 to commit any offense included in Chapter 27.
Chapter 30 - Misconduct in Office, Abuse Of OfficeAny applicant whose current conviction is included in Chapter 30 of the New Jersey Code of Criminal Justice, titled Misconduct in Office, Abuse of Office, or whose conviction involves underlying facts that demonstrate a violation of Chapter 30 of the Code of Criminal Justice. This also includes any applicant whose current conviction involves a Criminal Attempt pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2C:5-1 or Conspiracy pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2 to commit any offense included in Chapter 30.
Immigration DetainerAny applicant who has an active Department of Immigration detainer is not eligible to participate in the program.
Not A Resident Of NJAny applicant whose intended residence is located outside of New Jersey is not eligible to participate in the program.
Not A State InmateAny applicant not committed to the Custody of the Commissioner of the NJ Department of Corrections is not eligible to participate in the program.
Special Probation - Drug CourtAny applicant who has been sentenced to a State Prison term for failing to comply with the conditions of probation imposed pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2C:35-14 is not eligible to participate in the program.
Organized CrimeAny applicant whose sentence includes a finding by the Sentencing Court that there is a substantial likelihood that the defendant is involved in organized criminal activity pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2C:44-1a (5) is not eligible to participate in the program.
First Degree CrimeAny applicant whose current conviction is a first degree conviction is not eligible to participate in the program.
Previous First Degree CrimeAny applicant who has a previous conviction of a crime in the first degree, or any offense in any other jurisdiction which, if committed in New Jersey would constitute a crime of the first degree and has applied to the Intensive Supervision Program for an offense which occurred within five years of release from incarceration for the first degree offense is not eligible to participate in the program.
Weapons PossessionEffective August 8, 2013, a person who is convicted of a crime under subsection a., b., f., or j. of N.J.S.A 2C:39-5 shall be ineligible for participation in any program of intensive supervision; provided, however, that this provision shall not apply to a crime under subsection b. of N.J.S.A. 2C:39 5 involving only a handgun which is in the nature of an air gun, spring gun or pistol or other weapon of a similar nature in which the propelling force is a spring, elastic band, carbon dioxide, compressed or other gas or vapor, air or compressed air, or is ignited by compressed air, and ejecting a bullet or missile smaller than three-eighths of an inch in diameter, with sufficient force to injure a person.
Other good cause as found by the trial court and the Intensive Supervision Program (ISP)The trial court and the Intensive Supervision Program (ISP) may exercise discretion to deem an applicant ineligible for the ISP Program. Such discretion may be based upon various factors including, but not limited to, the underlying facts of the applicant’s criminal conviction, and shall be exercised carefully and uniformly.
See the complete list of crimes that are not eligible by clicking the link below:
Applying to ISP
Applications are available online at all county jails, and at all state prisons. Answer all of the questions, including who will be your community sponsor. If you do not have answers to all of the questions, submit the application with as much information as you have.
How Does An inmate Apply for ISP?
An application can be accessed directly from the link below. Often I have my clients fill one out at the time of sentencing so it could be immediately filed.
The Interview
Before you enter ISP, you will be need to write a plan explaining what you are going to do to help you avoid getting into trouble in the future. What you put in your plan is important. The people who review your application will look at it carefully. You should be able to do the things that you say you can do.
An ISP officer will also interview you at the state prison as part of your application. During the interview, the ISP officer will review your plan with you and ask questions to help find out whether the plan can be reached.
ISP Screening Board/ISP Judicial Panel
The ISP Screening Board made up of a person from the community, corrections staff and an ISP employee, will review your application and conduct an interview. If the Screening Board concludes that you are right for the ISP Program, a panel of ISP judges will review your application. The judges make the final decision. If your application is accepted by the judges, you will be released from prison into the program.
Admission to ISP
If you are admitted into the program, you will be released from prison into ISP. It is up to you to follow the rules to stay in the program. You will have to live up to all of the parts in your plan. Your community sponsor and your ISP officer will help you, but you must make sure you do what you agreed to do.
Rules of ISP
Get a job within 30 days of acceptance into ISP;
Obey a 6 p.m. curfew;
Support your children and meet your family needs;
Take part in treatment programs;
Do not leave New Jersey without permission from your ISP officer;
Do not own or carry any type of weapon;
Allow your ISP officer to visit your home and search you, or places or your things;
Do not use drugs or alcohol, and agree to drug and alcohol testing;
Pay all fines , fees and restitution ordered by the court; and
Tell your employer that you are on ISP within 30 days of getting a job.
Length of the program
If you are admitted into ISP, you can expect to be in the program for a minimum of 12 months. If your original sentence was for more than five years, or if you break any program rules, you may be in the program longer.
For more info, visit the NJ Courts Info page.
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