Chesterfield, New Jersey, October 18, 2025
New Jersey officials have officially broken ground on a state-of-the-art women’s correctional facility located on Ward Avenue in Chesterfield. This $250 million project is designed to focus on rehabilitation, education, and mental health services for female inmates. By enhancing these services, officials aim to reduce recidivism rates and improve living conditions within the facility, marking a significant step towards a more rehabilitative approach to women’s incarceration in the state.
Chesterfield Township, New Jersey
New Jersey officials have initiated the construction of a new women’s correctional facility in Chesterfield Township, Burlington County. The $310 million project aims to replace the outdated Edna Mahan Correctional Facility, emphasizing rehabilitation, education, and mental health services to reduce recidivism and improve conditions for female inmates.
Project Overview
The new facility will be built on a 33-acre site adjacent to the former Albert C. Wagner Youth Correctional Facility, which closed in 2020. Designed with a trauma-informed, campus-style layout, the 420-bed facility will centralize essential services such as education, vocational training, medical care, and recreation. This design is intended to foster a community atmosphere conducive to rehabilitation and successful reentry into society. The project is expected to save the state over $160 million in deferred maintenance and capital costs compared to maintaining the previous facility.
Background and Rationale
The decision to construct a new facility follows the closure of the Edna Mahan Correctional Facility in 2021, which had faced significant challenges, including incidents of abuse and outdated infrastructure. The new facility aims to provide a safer and more rehabilitative environment for incarcerated women, aligning with New Jersey’s commitment to modernizing its correctional system and promoting dignity and rehabilitation.
Key Features
- Capacity: 420 beds
- Location: 33-acre site in Chesterfield Township, adjacent to the former Albert C. Wagner Youth Correctional Facility
- Design: Trauma-informed, campus-style layout with centralized services
- Services: Education, vocational training, medical care, recreation, and mental health services
- Cost Savings: Over $160 million in deferred maintenance and capital costs compared to the previous facility
Timeline
The construction is expected to be completed in 2028, with the first phase of the facility opening in 2027. This timeline reflects a commitment to providing a modern and rehabilitative environment for incarcerated women in New Jersey.
Conclusion
The groundbreaking of the new women’s correctional facility in Chesterfield Township marks a significant step in New Jersey’s efforts to modernize its correctional system. By focusing on rehabilitation, education, and mental health services, the state aims to create a safer and more effective environment for female inmates, supporting their successful reintegration into society.
FAQ
What is the purpose of the new women’s correctional facility in Chesterfield Township?
The facility aims to replace the outdated Edna Mahan Correctional Facility, emphasizing rehabilitation, education, and mental health services to reduce recidivism and improve conditions for female inmates.
Where is the new facility being built?
The facility is being constructed on a 33-acre site in Chesterfield Township, Burlington County, adjacent to the former Albert C. Wagner Youth Correctional Facility.
What are the key features of the new facility?
- Capacity: 420 beds
- Design: Trauma-informed, campus-style layout with centralized services
- Services: Education, vocational training, medical care, recreation, and mental health services
- Cost Savings: Over $160 million in deferred maintenance and capital costs compared to the previous facility
When is the facility expected to open?
The construction is expected to be completed in 2028, with the first phase of the facility opening in 2027.
Why was the Edna Mahan Correctional Facility closed?
The Edna Mahan Correctional Facility was closed due to significant challenges, including incidents of abuse and outdated infrastructure, prompting the need for a more modern and rehabilitative environment for incarcerated women.
Key Features of the New Women’s Correctional Facility
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 420 beds |
| Location | 33-acre site in Chesterfield Township, adjacent to the former Albert C. Wagner Youth Correctional Facility |
| Design | Trauma-informed, campus-style layout with centralized services |
| Services | Education, vocational training, medical care, recreation, and mental health services |
| Cost Savings | Over $160 million in deferred maintenance and capital costs compared to the previous facility |
| Completion Timeline | First phase opening in 2027; full completion in 2028 |
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