What is the Intensive Supervision Program?

Getting charged with a crime can be a devastating experience. Sometimes the punishment can be too severe — you could be facing years behind bars, thousands of dollars in fines, and a criminal record that will follow you throughout your life.

But there is one way that you can get some relief from a prison sentence, thanks to the Intensive Supervision Program.

What is NJ’s Intensive Supervision Program?

The Intensive Supervision Program, or ISP for short, was created to help those who served a minimum amount of jail time can be released before being eligible for parole. It allows some offenders to serve the rest of their sentence outside the traditional prison setting under strict supervision.

The purpose of the program is to help those change their lives by avoiding the factors that had caused them to end up in jail in the first place. Many ISP plans include counseling and employment requirements, as well as community service and must meet curfews.

This program is not available to all offenders. If you were convicted of homicide, sex crimes, and robbery, or have been sentenced to parole ineligibility, you will not be able to participate in the program.

The ISP Process

To participate in the program, the individual needs to apply for admission through the Administrative Office of the Courts. You are allowed to have an attorney represent you in any hearings on either admission or termination from the program. You will also need a community sponsor to support your application as well as a plan that describes the methods you will use to help avoid problems in the future.

If you are accepted into the program, you will be released from prison under the conditions of ISP, which can include:

• Obtain a job within 30 days
• Obey a curfew — 6 pm until you get a job, and then it can be changed to between 8 and 10 pm, depending on the ISP officer assigned to your case
• If you have dependents, you will be expected to support them and meet family obligations
• Participate in treatment and counseling programs like AA and NA
• You must stay in the state unless you receive permissions from your ISP officer
• Don’t carry firearms or any other weapons
• Allow your ISP officer to visit your home and search you or anything under your control
• Don’t use drugs or alcohol and submit to testing
• Pay any financial obligations imposed by the ISP Resentencing Panel
• Inform your employer that you are on ISP within 30 days of finding a job

Failure to meet these expectations and it’s possible that you can return to prison. But if you continue to meet expectations, then you’ll receive more privileges and extensions to your curfew.

Don’t Face Your Criminal Charges Alone!

If you are facing a criminal charge in New Jersey, you’re going to need a good criminal defense attorney by your side. Contact the Law Offices of Anthony Carbone today at 201-733-2230 for a free consultation.