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Essex County corrections reports rising population, opens mental-health step-down unit and new revenue streams
Summary
Director Ron Charles reported a higher jail census, new mental-health programming and major revenue increases from federal and state housing agreements. The department plans capital upgrades and staff training while noting shifts in federal inmate flows.
Essex County Department of Corrections Director Ron Charles told commissioners the jail saw a high population and new program revenue in 2024 while adding a mental-health step-down unit and expanded reentry programming.
Charles said the department recorded roughly $70.4 million in revenue in 2024 and has a revenue goal of about $80.8 million for 2025, driven in part by newly centralised housing for parole violators and other contracted placements.
On population and placements, Charles said the daily census reached 2,138 at the time of the hearing and capacity (all beds) is about 2,400. He provided the departmental breakdown: about 494 federal inmates (U.S. Marshals), roughly 211 parole violators, about 50 state inmates (post-15-day state-housing), roughly 50 Essex County inmates, and approximately 467 Union County inmates housed at the facility.
Charles described a new mental-health unit — a dedicated step-down arrangement inside the jail — and said it was the only county correctional step-down in New Jersey created per recommendations of the civilian task force. The department also launched expanded programs including OSHA courses, culinary arts and job re-entry training; Charles said the Corrections team scored 99.8 on the state inspection.
Revenue changes were explained in detail: federal-marshal housing paid a per-diem rate (described during the hearing as $156 per inmate); a parole-violator program negotiated with the state is expected to yield significant new revenue (Charles estimated the parole-violator program at about $15 million for the year). Charles said Delaney Hall program transfers and other grants also contributed to 2024 revenue.
Security, technology and physical plant improvements were discussed: the department has upgraded cameras (older cameras replaced), is rolling out a duress (personal panic) system for staff, and plans refrigerator/freezer and other kitchen upgrades. Commissioners asked about capacity for additional construction and the possibility of adding the originally planned "Building 1" pod (the director said the land remains available but no immediate construction is scheduled).
Ending: Commissioners thanked the Corrections leadership for programs and upgrades; several commissioners praised the mental-health diversion work and asked administration staff to track revenues and program outcomes.
