David Wolfsgruber of Hamilton to lead agency that serves important reentry mission throughout the State of NJ

January 11, 2021

TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–The New Jersey State Parole Board announced today the promotion of David Wolfsgruber, who will lead the agency’s day-to-day operations as Executive Director. In this role, Mr. Wolfsgruber will oversee and manage a critical state agency with a total of just over 600 sworn law enforcement and civilian staff who are charged with processing and supervising more than 16,000 offenders currently under state parole supervision.

New Jersey State Parole Board Chairman Samuel J. Plumeri, Jr. said, “David is a true leader in every sense of the word and his strong knowledge of criminal justice will undoubtedly be an asset to the State Parole Board. As a dedicated public servant, David has seen many changes within the complex world of parole which makes him the obvious choice to lead this agency as we continue to meet our two-fold mission of ensuring public safety while reducing the state’s overall recidivism rate through our supervision efforts.”

“I am very fortunate to have spent my entire professional career at the State Parole Board and am eager to help lead this agency during a time where New Jersey’s criminal justice system is undergoing transformative changes,” said Mr. Wolfsgruber. “The determined commitment of dedicated agency employees who consistently work to advance public safety measures and successful community reintegration is both inspiring and impressive.”

Prior to his new position, Mr. Wolfsgruber held the position of Assistant Director of the Community Programs Division. In that role he oversaw the development and administration of statewide community programming for parolees at 18 individual contracted residential and community resource center program locations.

Mr. Wolfsgruber oversaw the significant expansion of licensed substance abuse and co-occurring mental health outpatient and residential substance abuse treatment services for parolees within the Mutual Agreement Program, in partnership with the Department of Human Services, Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services. Community programming, which plays a significant role in the reentry process, assists individuals in their community reintegration process.

Mr. Wolfsgruber also held several diverse positions within the State Parole Board including coordinator of specialized programs and chief of the Parole Revocation Hearing Unit. Additionally, he is a certified public manager, a title that he received following the successful completion of the comprehensive State Certified Public Manager Program. A graduate of Trenton State College (now The College of New Jersey), Mr. Wolfsgruber is a lifelong New Jersey resident. He resides in Hamilton Square with his wife and two children.

The New Jersey State Parole Board is committed to promoting public safety, utilizing effective methods to aid supervised offenders in reentering society, and in reducing the state’s recidivism of offenders while addressing the needs of crime victims. As required by law, appointed parole board members and staff conduct approximately 13,500 hearings per year, solicit input from victims, and decide upon parole matters. Approximately 400 sworn parole officers supervise more than 16,000 offenders and act as New Jersey’s primary law enforcement agency responsible for sex offender supervision. Additionally, state parole officers are also active partners with a variety of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies and task forces. The agency’s Community Programs Division partners with government, non-profit, and private agencies to connect former inmates with vocational, mental health, addiction services, and related services.

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