(TRENTON) – The Senate Law and Public Safety Committee today passed legislation by Senator Donald Norcross (D-Camden/Gloucester) to rename the Mountainview Youth Correctional Facility as the William H. Fauver Youth Correctional Facility. William Fauver served as the New Jersey Department of Corrections Commissioner for twenty years, making him the longest-serving corrections commissioner in the United States.

“Renaming Mountainview in honor of Commissioner Fauver is a fitting tribute to a man whose leadership helped shape the Department of Corrections as we know it today,” said Senator Norcross. “He started his career in a New Jersey youth correctional facility, and so naming one after him seems appropriate.”

A Camden County native, Commissioner Fauver was hired as a teacher at then Bordentown Reformatory in 1960, before serving as Assistant Superintendent at Yardville Youth Reception and Correctional Center and then Superintendent at Mountainview. He was appointed Commissioner of the Department of Corrections by Governor Byrne in 1978 and served in that post until retiring in 1998.

While Commissioner, William Fauver introduced the drug courts initiative and the Intensive Supervision program to New Jersey. He was well known for having won the respect of employees, union leaders and elected officials alike, as well as serving under four governors from both political parties.

Commissioner Fauver passed away earlier this year at the age of 80. Bill S2274 was passed out of committee unanimously.