New Jersey's Plan For Youth Prison Reform Causes Worry In Newark

NEWARK, NJ — Although the state has made big strides with reducing the number of juveniles in its jails, New Jersey still has the “shameful distinction” of having the largest black-white youth incarceration gap in the nation, according to Gov. Phil Murphy.

But according to a Thursday joint statement from the governor and Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, there is a cold, hard truth that the state must come to grips with as it tries to revamp its juvenile justice system.

“The fact remains that a small number of juveniles engage in serious, violent conduct, and we must find a safe, secure way to house them – one that ensures public safety while also departing from the more punitive practices of the past,” Murphy and Bararka said.

However, the governor’s plan – to close existing youth prisons in the state and open smaller “youth development centers” as it moves towards decentralization – is causing some worry among some Newark residents and activists who don’t want yet another detention facility in their city… no matter what.

Last week, a coalition called the United Black Agenda Group sent a letter to Gov. Phil Murphy denouncing “plans to construct a new youth prison in Newark.” The group promised that any such effort would be met with hearty pushback from the local community.

In their letter, the coalition wrote:

"We oppose New Jersey's plan to build a new youth prison in Newark on an environmentally compromised site near West Side High School, KIPP Rise Academy, and Speedway Academies without any community input."

The coalition added that they’re not only opposed to building a new prison in Newark… they’re also against any plans to open two new youth prisons in the central and southern regions of the state. (Watch video below)

After the activists’ allegations surfaced, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka quickly reassured the public that there are no plans to bring a new prison to the Brick City.

“A new youth prison in Newark is simply not happening," Baraka said. "I support the concept of rehabilitative youth development centers, but existing youth facilities should be renovated for that purpose. Further, New Jersey's current youth incarceration system is a waste of precious taxpayer dollars, funneling millions each year into largely empty youth prisons."

Newark is currently home to holding facilities including Northern State Prison, Essex County Correctional Facility, Delaney Hall Detention Facility and the Essex County Juvenile Detention Center, as well as a municipal processing unit at 480 Clinton Avenue.

• See related article: Build A New Youth Prison In Newark? 'Not Happening,' Mayor Says

On Thursday, Murphy revealed some more details about his plan to revamp the state’s youth criminal justice system.

According to the governor's joint statement with Baraka, opening smaller regional centers will ultimately help detained juveniles be closer to their families and home communities, while also providing treatment, rehabilitative services and community space.

“Unfortunately, there has been misinformation spread over the past few days by those who are opposed to any sort of secure youth residential center,” Murphy and Baraka said. “We remain deeply committed to transforming our juvenile justice system in New Jersey and look forward to working with advocates, community members, and partners in law enforcement to address the disparities in our incarcerated youth population.”

Murphy and Baraka said the state has made big strides for its juvenile inmates over the past two decades.

“Since New Jersey began partnering with the Annie E. Casey Foundation in 2004, New Jersey has reduced the number of juveniles detained in both county and state facilities by 80 percent – and youth of color account for more than 80 percent of this reduction,” Murphy and Baraka said.

For an example of the state’s changing philosophy on youth prisons, look no further than the New Jersey Training School at Jamesburg, they pointed out.

“These reductions in the juvenile detention population have allowed New Jersey to make significant progress towards its goal of closing the Jamesburg facility and moving towards a decentralized, community-based model that allows youths to receive best-in-the-nation rehabilitative and treatment services while being housed closer to home,” Murphy and Baraka stated.

In October, Murphy signed an executive order creating a Task Force for the Continued Transformation of Youth Justice in New Jersey. The Task Force is comprised of people directly impacted by the criminal justice system, juvenile justice agencies, and key community stakeholders and is charged with promoting strategies to reduce recidivism and provide recommendations to improve our juvenile justice system.

Three of the task force’s members – Salvation and Social Justice, the NAACP New Jersey State Conference and the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice (NJISJ) – were among the signatories on last week’s letter to the governor.

• See related article: Black Voters Of New Jersey To Murphy: ‘Remember The #94Percent’

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