In a recent decision, the Supreme Court denied a motion by the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey and the state Public Defender’s Office seeking to expedite parole hearings and allow furloughs of certain inmates in state prisons and juvenile facilities due to COVID-19.

In a unanimous decision, the court gave deference to the executive and legislative branches, with the former largely possessing the authority to decide whether to grant parole or furlough to inmates, and the latter empowering the Parole Board to make decisions about parole and the Department of Corrections commissioner on whether to furlough inmates.