Board renews Ambrose Group contract to continue corrections audits and staffing review

Essex County commissioners voted to award a continued audit and monitoring contract to the Ambrose Group to assess compliance, staffing and training at the county correctional facility, in a measure not to exceed $98,800.

Director Ron Charles explained the contract continues work begun by Ambrose in 2021 and will include monitoring remediation of prior recommendations, oversight of capital and staffing changes, and new training for supervisors. Anthony Ambrose said his team previously completed an assessment and a follow‑up compliance review; this phase will continue monitoring and produce a required report.

Public commenters earlier in the evening—led by union representatives from FOP 106—raised concerns about internal‑affairs access to video systems, recent hiring of civilian staff who do not reside in Essex County, and perceived retaliatory disciplinary actions. James Shroese (FOP 106) urged scrutiny of the Ambrose report’s findings and whether the administration would implement recommendations.

Ambrose told commissioners the initial audits identified critical life‑safety and operational concerns—examples he cited included lack of Narcan distribution, contraband entry points, and camera blind spots that slowed investigations—and that most recommendations from the first two reports have been completed. He said the new contract will examine staffing patterns, schedule changes to reduce overtime, and continued compliance with applicable statutes and correctional standards.

Commissioners asked whether the scope included retroactive review of previously reported issues and whether additional future assessments would be possible; the director and Ambrose confirmed that the RFP required reporting on prior items and leaves open additional follow‑up reviews. The board approved the contract by roll call.