Intensive Supervision Program

New Jersey Certified Criminal Trial Attorney

If you are accepted into the ISP program, it allows you to get out of prison after serving only a short period of the sentence the Judge imposed. As the name indicates, this program is ‘intensive’ with frequent contact and supervision of the inmates who are admitted into the program. While most inmates are eligible to apply for the program, there are strict review policies that give total control of who gets into the program to the ISP personnel and the Resentencing Court.

In many cases, this program is a good alternative for an inmate who really does want to use it as a ‘stepping stone’ towards being a productive member of society. It is not for all inmates, even if they are eligible, as an inmate who violates the conditions of ISP participation will be violated and sent back to prison to complete their original sentence.

If you are applying for the Intensive Supervision Program, or are in danger of being in violation from participation in ISP, contact Howard Bailey at 973-982-1200 to discuss whether this program can benefit you.

Representing a Client in ISP

Applying for participation happens after you have been sentenced to prison. Howard Bailey has represented clients who were applying to become participants, and represented clients who were in danger of being removed from ISP. In a recent case, Mr Bailey represented a client being removed from ISP, because they could not make a large monetary payment on the restitution ordered by the Court as a condition of entry into the program. The danger to the client was that he had agreed to make the payment to get accepted and released, but had not developed a proper restitution plan that he could meet. If in violation, he would be sent back to max out his prison sentence. Mr Bailey was able to convince the re-sentencing panel to return the client as ‘unsuitable’ for participation without violation penalties. The client was returned to prison and all time spent in the program was credited towards an early release from incarceration.

Understand the Conditions of Participation Before Applying

This program is a substitute for the inmate’s prison sentence. The inmate is re-sentenced to the program. All conditions and requirements are strictly enforced, and not subject to the inmate wanting to do them. Before asking the Court to place you in the program you need to develop a ‘release plan’ that is acceptable to the officers who will supervise your release. Another word for ‘intensive’ may well be ‘intrusive’.

Make certain you understand every condition you are agreeing to. You will need to keep them or be in violation and re-sentenced. If you are applying for or at risk of being in violation from this participation call Howard Bailey at 973-982-1200 for a free consultation about what your ISP options are given your circumstances.