New Jersey Prisions to See Layoffs

Faced with financial woes, the New Jersey prison system plans to double-bunk and house fewer inmates in order to shave costs. There will be a yet unspecified number of staff reductions as well.

The department is faced with $74 million in budget cuts, and will be looking to rely more on volunteers to educate and counsel inmates.

“Layoffs and attrition must occur within the civilian ranks, while greater efficiencies and overtime reductions are realized by our uniformed staff,” said Department of Corrections Commissioner Gary Lanigan. “Perhaps the most difficult reductions will come in the areas of programming and education.”

There are expected to be many more reductions throughout the state as everyone braces for the spending cuts in Gov. Chris Christie’s $29.3 billion budget proposal.