Garden State Youth Correctional Facility (GYCF) is a state prison located in New Jersey that houses young adult offenders between the ages of 18 and 30. The prison consists of a main institution and a minimum-security complex located on institutional grounds in the Crosswicks section of Chesterfield Township in Burlington County, NJ. GYCF is operated by the New Jersey Department of Corrections and is designed to provide educational, vocational, and therapeutic programs to help inmates successfully reintegrate into society upon release.
GYCF has been the subject of controversy in recent years, with allegations of inmate abuse and corruption among correctional officers. In 2022, six correctional police officers were charged in an ongoing investigation surrounding an inmate assault at the facility. The Office of the Attorney General and the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability have been working to address these issues and ensure the safety and well-being of inmates at GYCF. Despite these challenges, GYCF continues to provide a range of programs and services to help inmates turn their lives around and build a better future for themselves and their communities.
| Security | Mixed |
| Capacity | 1,574 |
| Physical Address | 55 Hogback Rd, Crosswicks, NJ 08515 |
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 11401 Yardville, New Jersey 08620 |
| Can You Send a Gift? | No |
| Visitation Hours | Depends on the Unit |
| Dress Code | Yes |
| Phone Number | (609) 298-6300 |
| Jurisdiction | State |
Overview
Garden State Youth Correctional Facility is a state prison located in the Crosswicks section of Chesterfield Township in Burlington County, New Jersey. The facility is managed by the New Jersey Department of Corrections (DOC) and is designed to house young adult offenders between the ages of 18-30. It is one of the two facilities that make up the Youth Correctional Complex, the other being Mountainview Youth Correctional Facility.
The Garden State Youth Correctional Facility has a capacity of 1,574 inmates and is responsible for the custody and care of male offenders who have been sentenced by the court to serve time in prison. The facility offers a range of programs and services designed to help inmates rehabilitate and successfully re-enter society upon their release.
The prison complex is spread over a large area and includes a main institution and a minimum-security complex located on institutional grounds. The facility offers a variety of educational and vocational programs, including adult basic education, high school equivalency testing, vocational training, and college courses.
In addition to these programs, the facility also provides inmates with access to a range of health and mental health services, including medical and dental care, mental health counseling, and substance abuse treatment.
The Garden State Youth Correctional Facility is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for both staff and inmates. The facility has a comprehensive security plan in place that includes the use of advanced technology, such as closed-circuit television cameras, to monitor inmate activity and prevent violence and other forms of misconduct.
Overall, the Garden State Youth Correctional Facility plays a critical role in the state’s criminal justice system by providing a secure and rehabilitative environment for young adult offenders.
Inmate Life
Life as an inmate at Garden State Youth Correctional Facility is highly structured and regulated. Inmates are expected to follow a strict set of rules and regulations to maintain order and safety within the facility. In this section, we will explore the different aspects of an inmate’s life at Garden State Youth Correctional Facility.
Visitation
Family and friends are allowed to visit inmates at Garden State Youth Correctional Facility on designated days and times. Inmates are allowed a limited number of visits per month, and visitors must be on the inmate’s approved visitor list. Attorney visits and special visits are also permitted under certain circumstances.
Visitation Hours
- General Population Contact Visits
- Saturday
- 8:00 am – 11:00 am (Last names beginning with letters N-Z)
- 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm (Last names beginning with letters A-M)
- Sunday
- 8:00 am – 11:00 am (Last names beginning with letters A-M)
- 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm (Last names beginning with letters N-Z)
- Saturday
- General Population Non-Contact Window
- Monday – Friday: 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
- I-Wing
- Saturday & Sunday: 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
- ACSU – Level 1 (One Visit per Calendar Month only)
- Tuesday OR Thursday: 8:30 am – 9:30 am
- Monday – Friday: 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm
- ACSU – Level 2 One Visit per Week only
- Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, or Sunday: 8:30 am – 9:30 am
- Monday – Friday: 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Education and Job Training
Inmates at Garden State Youth Correctional Facility are provided with educational opportunities to earn their high school diploma or participate in vocational training programs such as culinary arts or paralegal training. Inmates can also participate in maintenance and landscaping jobs within the facility.
Recreation and Activities
Inmates at Garden State Youth Correctional Facility have access to recreational activities such as basketball, volleyball, and weightlifting. They can also participate in Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous meetings.
Housing and Custody Level
Inmates at Garden State Youth Correctional Facility are housed in either the General Population or the Y Unit, which is a more restrictive housing unit. Inmates are assigned a custody level based on their behavior and risk level. The minimum unit is for inmates with the lowest custody level.
Overall, life as an inmate at Garden State Youth Correctional Facility is highly structured and regulated. Inmates are provided with educational and job training opportunities, as well as recreational activities. Visitation is allowed, but visitors must follow strict rules and regulations. Inmates are housed based on their custody level and behavior.
Communication and Correspondence
Contact Information
Garden State Youth Correctional Facility provides various ways to communicate with inmates, including mail, phone, and email. The facility’s physical address is 55 Hogback Rd, Crosswicks, NJ 08515. The mailing address is P.O. Box 11401 Yardville, New Jersey 08620. The phone number is (609) 298-6300.
For general inquiries, individuals can contact the facility via email at [email protected]. However, the facility does not accept any other communications via this email address.
Inmate Search
To find an inmate at Garden State Youth Correctional Facility, individuals can use the New Jersey Department of Corrections inmate search tool, available on their website. Users can search for an inmate by their first and last name or their offender number.
Sending Money and Commissary
Friends and family members can send money to inmates at Garden State Youth Correctional Facility through JPay, a service that allows individuals to send money electronically. Inmates can use the funds to purchase items from the facility’s commissary, such as food, hygiene products, and clothing.
Rules and Regulations
Garden State Youth Correctional Facility has strict rules and regulations that inmates must follow. These rules include restrictions on visitation, mail, and phone calls. Inmates are also required to follow a dress code and maintain a clean living area.
Additionally, the facility has guidelines for what items are allowed in the facility. For example, inmates are not allowed to possess weapons, drugs, or any other illegal items. Visitors are also subject to search before entering the facility.
It is important for individuals to review the facility’s rules and regulations before attempting to communicate with an inmate or visit the facility. Failure to follow these guidelines can result in disciplinary action or legal consequences.