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NJSP Colonel Callahan, Morris County law enforcement speak at spring Recovery Court graduation

MORRIS COUNTY, NJ – New Jersey State Police Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, and Morris County Sheriff James M. Gannon joined other county and state officials in honoring 11 graduating participants of Morris County Recovery Court program.

The Recovery Court graduation ceremony was held at the Morris County Public Safety Training Academy on May 23. Graduations are typically held twice a year.

The ceremony was presided over by Superior Court Judge Robert Hanna, and Col. Callahan was a special guest speaker. Other addresses included Judge Stuart A. Minkowitz, Judge Michael E. Hubner, Prosecutor Carroll, Sheriff Gannon, Alumni Association President Charles Johnson, and Deputy Public Defender Susan McCoy.

Operating within the Superior Court, the Recovery Court program was established to offer non-violent drug offenders treatment as opposed to incarceration. Individuals undergo a rigorous program in five phases of intensive probation supervision, frequent drug testing, and virtual court appearances.

This level of supervision permits the program to support the recovery process but also allows supervisors to react quickly to impose appropriate therapeutic sanctions or to reinstate criminal proceedings when participants do not comply. If the individuals complete the program and reach graduation, they pay their fines and restitution and can apply to have certain convictions expunged, offering them an opportunity to re-enter society as a citizen without the stigma of such a conviction.

Previously named Drug Court, the program began in Camden and Essex counties in 1996 and expanded statewide in April 2002 when Morris and Sussex counties joined.

The Recovery Court program in Morris County has 95 participants.

Jay Edwards

Born and raised in Northwest NJ, Jay has a degree in Communications and has had a life-long interest in local radio and various styles of music. Jay has held numerous jobs over the years such as stunt car driver, bartender, voice-over artist, traffic reporter (award winning), NY Yankee maintenance crewmember and peanut farm worker. His hobbies include mountain climbing, snowmobiling, cooking, performing stand-up comedy and he is an avid squirrel watcher. Jay has been a guest on America’s Morning Headquarters,program on The Weather Channel, and was interviewed by Sam Champion.

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