State of New Jersey
Executive Order #75

Governor Christine Todd Whitman

WHEREAS, in 1867, the New Jersey Training School for Boys in Monroe Township (the "Training School for Boys") was opened in an agricultural area of the State of New Jersey to provide a location for the rehabilitation of juvenile delinquents; and

WHEREAS, since 1867, juvenile crime has greatly increased, at the same time becoming more serious and often more violent; and

WHEREAS, since 1867, communities throughout the State of New Jersey, including the community surrounding the New Jersey Training School for Boys, have experienced population growth and development; and

WHEREAS, the State of New Jersey seeks to maintain secure juvenile facilities for the housing and care of juveniles committed to the custody of the Juvenile Justice Commission; and

WHEREAS, the State of New Jersey seeks to maintain the safety and security of its communities and neighborhoods;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, CHRISTINE TODD WHITMAN, Governor of the State of New Jersey, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and by the Statutes of this State, do hereby ORDER and DIRECT:

1. The creation of the Advisory Committee to Study the Future of the New Jersey Training School for Boys in Monroe Township (the "Advisory Committee").

2. The Advisory Committee is charged with providing input to the Juvenile Justice Commission (the "Commission") during the Commission's study of the feasibility of closing the Training School for Boys, which study has been ordered by the Legislature pursuant to the Annual Appropriations Act, P.L. 1997, c.131, page 140, lines 12 through 14. Among the issues the Advisory Committee shall address are: public safety as it relates to security at the Training School for Boys; whether the current physical facility meets the needs of the Commission in the context of its responsibility for the custody and care of juveniles; the impact that closure of the facility would have upon the Commission in the context of its responsibility for the custody and care of juveniles; the cost effectiveness of closure, including a fiscal analysis of whether the current facility should be renovated and/or whether the State should undertake new construction elsewhere; and, if new construction is recommended, possible alternative locations.

3. The Advisory Committee shall conduct at least one public hearing in order to obtain the positions and viewpoints of the members of the community surrounding the Training School for Boys.

4. The Advisory Committee shall be composed of up to twelve members including the Attorney General or his designee; the Executive Director of the Commission or his designee; the State Treasurer or his designee; the Director of the Office of Management and Budget or her designee; the Superintendent of the Training School for Boys or her designee; a Senator to be appointed by the Senate President; an Assemblymember to be appointed by the Assembly Speaker; a member of the Advisory Council to the Juvenile Justice Commission to be appointed by the Governor; a member from the Monroe Training School for Boys Citizens Review Board to be appointed by the Governor; and no more than three members of the public to be appointed by the Governor based upon professional experience and expertise in juvenile justice or upon demonstrated involvement in and concern for the local communities surrounding the Training School for Boys. The Governor shall designate a chair and vice-chair from among the members of the Advisory Committee. The members shall serve without compensation, but shall be reimbursed for necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties subject to the availability of funds therefor.

5. The Advisory Committee shall organize and meet as soon as possible after the appointment of its members. The chair shall appoint a secretary who need not be a member of the Advisory Committee. Vacancies on the Advisory Committee shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.

6. All State departments and agencies are hereby directed, to the extent not inconsistent with law and within budget constraints, to cooperate with the Advisory Committee and to respond to requests for such information, personnel and assistance as are necessary to accomplish the purposes of this Order.

7. The Advisory Committee shall assist the Commission by providing recommendations in a timely fashion, in order to allow the Commission to fully consider the Advisory Committee's views prior to presenting the Legislature with the Commission's findings and conclusions on the feasibility of closing the Training School for Boys. Pursuant to the Annual Appropriations Act, P.L. 1997, c.131, page 140, lines 12 through 14, that presentation is to be completed no later than December 31, 1997. The Advisory Committee and the Commission are directed to coordinate their efforts to ensure compliance with this deadline.

8. This Order shall take effect immediately.

GIVEN, under my hand and seal
this 29th day of September, in the
year of Our Lord, One Thousand
Nine Hundred and Ninety Seven,
and of the Independence of the
United States, the Two Hundred
and Twenty-Second.

/s/ Christine Todd Whitman
Governor

Attest:

/s/ Michael P. Torpey
Chief Counsel to the Governor