The proposed "Female Incarcerated Person's Rights Protection Act" aims to enhance the rights and services available to female incarcerated individuals in New Jersey. Key provisions include the establishment of a gender-responsive risk and needs assessment by the Commissioner of Corrections, which will inform institutional classification processes. The act mandates the creation of the Division of Women's Services within the Department of Corrections, responsible for addressing the specific needs of female incarcerated persons, including trauma treatment, parenting issues, and child reunification. Additionally, the bill requires the provision of doula services for pregnant incarcerated women and support services such as parenting classes.

Furthermore, the act emphasizes the importance of training for correctional staff, mandating annual in-service training focused on gender-responsive policies and the prevention of sexual abuse and harassment. A special victims unit will be established to investigate allegations of sexual misconduct within correctional facilities, ensuring that all reports are treated with dignity and confidentiality. The bill also includes provisions for providing incarcerated individuals with information about their rights and available support services related to sexual abuse and harassment. Overall, the act seeks to create a more supportive and responsive correctional environment for women.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 30:1B-6.13