J.B., ET AL. VS. NEW JERSEY STATE PAROLE BOARD
A-5435-10T2/ A-1459-11T2/ A-2138-11T3/ A-2448-11T2/A-3256-11T2(CONSOLIDATED) Appellants are individuals who have been convicted of sexual offenses, have completed their respective prison terms, and are now being monitored by respondent New Jersey State Parole Board as offenders who are subject to either parole supervision for life ("PSL") or its statutory predecessor, community supervision for life ("CSL"). N.J.S.A. 2C:43-6.4. They challenge the constitutionality of certain terms of supervision the Parole Board has imposed upon them and other released sex offenders subject to CSL or PSL, mainly (1) restrictions on access to social media or other comparable web sites on the Internet; and (2) mandated submission to periodic polygraph examinations.
In the published portion of our opinion, we reject appellants' facial challenges to the Internet access restrictions, subject to their right to bring future "as-applied" challenges if they avail themselves of the Parole Board's procedures for requesting specific permission for more expanded Internet access and are then denied such permission.
As indicated in the unpublished portion of our opinion, we do not decide at this time the merits of appellants' constitutional attack upon the polygraph requirements. Instead, we refer that subject matter to the trial court for supplemental proceedings, pursuant to Rule 2:5-5(b), for the development of an appropriate record, including scientific or other expert proofs, and for fact-finding. Such proofs and fact-finding shall focus upon the alleged therapeutic, rehabilitative, and risk management benefits of polygraph testing when it is conducted within the specific context of post-release oversight of sex offenders. 11-26-13
