Office of Inmate Advocacy (1974-1994)

The Office of Inmate Advocacy was established in 1974 within the Office of the Public Defender. Its duties were to "represent the interests of inmates in such disputes and litigation, as will, in the discretion of the Public Defender, best advance the interests of inmates as a class on an issue of general application to them, and may act as representative of inmates with any principal department or other instrumentality of State, county or local government." (Chap. 27, Laws of New Jersey, 1974). The Office ceased independent operation in 1994 when responsibilities were restructured to the Public Defender (P.L.1994, c.58) (C.52:27E-50 et al.). See also the Corrections Ombudsman, which was established in 2005 within the Public Advocate and had similar, but not identical, responsibilities.