September 23, 2021
For Immediate Release
More Information Contact:
Jody Hirata (856) 453-2125
jodyhi@co.cumberland.nj.us
NJ SUPREME COURT DENIES PUBLIC DEFENDER’S APPEAL
CLEARING WAY FOR COUNTY JAIL CLOSURE
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, NEW JERSEY (September 23, 2021) The New Jersey Supreme has rejected an appeal filed by The New Jersey Office of the Public Defender seeking to overturn a decision by the Superior Court that permits Cumberland County to proceed with its plan to close the Cumberland County Jail. Joseph Derella, Director of the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners, called the Court’s September 23, 2021 order denying the appeal, “a victory for residents and taxpayers of Cumberland County.” Derella stated, “As part of our decision to save our taxpayers millions of dollars a year by closing the county jail and house detainees in other nearby correctional facilities, we developed a comprehensive plan to provide defense attorneys access to their clients.”
Derella indicated that Superior Court Judge Yolanda Rodriguez issued a “very well-reasoned decision on July 30, 2021 that held that Cumberland County is under no legal requirement to operate a jail and has a right to house its prisoners in other correctional facilities. Derella continued, “Unfortunately, in pursuing this baseless litigation, that included two unsuccessful appeals, the public defender’s office placed the convenience of their attorneys over the interests of the people of Cumberland County.”
Derella added, “Now that the public defenders’ legal roadblocks are removed, we will proceed with implementation of our jail closure plan by transferring detainees to other correctional facilities and constructing a holding facility at the site of the current County jail.” Derella concluded, “Our decision to utilize shared corrections facilities will protect the health, safety and rights of Cumberland County’s detainees while saving our taxpayers millions dollars a year for years to come.”