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Gov. McGreevey, reentry providers urge state to restore reentry funding to avoid center closures
Summary
Former governor Jim McGreevey and leaders from New Jersey Reentry Corporation told the Assembly Budget Committee the program doubled participants since 2021 while cutting per‑client costs and asked lawmakers to restore prior-year funding after the governor proposed a sharp reduction.
Former New Jersey governor Jim McGreevey and leaders of New Jersey Reentry Corporation (NJRC) told the Assembly Budget Committee that cuts in the governor's proposed fiscal 2026 budget threaten reentry centers statewide. McGreevey told the committee NJRC's network of eight reentry sites provides medical, dental, addiction treatment, legal and employment supports for people returning from incarceration, treatment and military service.
McGreevey said NJRC's recidivism rate is 8.8 percent and its employment rate is about 58 percent. He told the committee the number of program participants rose from about 12,786 in 2021 to over 25,000 in the most recent year while the reported cost per client fell from roughly $3,410 to $2,539. McGreevey said the organization achieved a 100 percent compliance rate with sales force reporting and independent financial audits by RSM that found no material deficiencies.
NJRC requested that the legislature reverse a proposed cut in the governor's plan that would leave the group with $1 million, a funding level the speakers said would force closure of reentry centers. McGreevey and NJRC asked instead for a supplemental appropriation roughly matching prior‑year funding that would cover medical and behavioral services, legal services and employment/training programs.
Committee members acknowledged the program's outcomes but said the current fiscal year presents tough choices. Lawmakers questioned whether the requested supplemental could be afforded given the state's budget pressures and asked staff for additional detail on NJRC's audited figures, line‑item budgets and the specific services supported at each site.
The testimony included two former participants who described how NJRC's employment training and case management helped them secure stable jobs and re‑integrate into their communities, calling the services "a support base" for people returning from prison.
Next steps: NJRC said it will submit detailed budget breakdowns and program outcome data to the committee for staff review. Lawmakers did not take a vote and provided no immediate commitment; they said restoration is possible only after additional budget analysis.
