Official Site of The State of New Jersey
Landmark Reform: A Modern Women’s Correctional Facility Shaped by Cultural Reform
Posted on 10/17/2025
New Jersey marked a new chapter in women’s corrections with the groundbreaking of a purpose-built facility in Chesterfield Township, Burlington County. Governor Phil Murphy joined Commissioner Victoria L. Kuhn, Esq., and state officials for a ceremony to mark the next phase of construction of a new women’s correctional facility and reflect on the last four years of reform l at the Edna Mahan Correctional Facility (EMCF).
“Today’s groundbreaking represents a new chapter of criminal justice for New Jersey – one built on safety, dignity, and rehabilitation,” said Governor Murphy. “This new, state-of-the-art facility reflects our dedication to providing a safe, secure, and healthier environment for our state’s incarcerated women as they work toward rebuilding their lives for the better. Together with our partners, our Administration is building a more trustworthy and transparent criminal justice system focused on safety, recovery, and redemption.”
The transformation at Edna Mahan guided every part of this project. After the 2021 decision to close the facility, the Department concentrated on cultural reform that strengthened oversight, improved safety, and restored trust. Central to that effort was the introduction of trauma- and gender-informed training for staff. The program gave employees a deeper understanding of the experiences and needs of women in custody, creating an environment where professionalism and empathy replaced the practices of the past.
At the same time, the full deployment of body-worn cameras brought new transparency and accountability to daily operations. The combination of visible oversight and targeted staff training established a safer, dignified and more stable environment for women and staff alike.
The Department also expanded opportunities for education, vocational learning, and mental health support. This approach also includes a focus on children of incarcerated women through partnerships such as Give Something Back, which provides academic guidance and mentoring. Other collaborations have expanded access to creative and career-focused learning, including the professional design studio developed with Pratt Institute, which helps women build marketable skills while reinforcing a sense of self-worth and stability.
The new women’s facility continues the progress made at EMCF. Its design integrates classrooms, treatment areas, and residential housing to support learning and wellness throughout the day. Modern infrastructure will ensure safe, reliable, and efficient operations for years to come. The strategically chosen location, adjacent to the former Albert C. Wagner Youth Correctional Facility (closed in Fiscal Year 2020), offers centralized access to better enable family unification and visitation.
The reform that began at Edna Mahan proved that lasting change is possible when accountability and care work together. The new facility stands as the next step in that evolution — a modern environment built to promote safety, learning, and genuine reentry success.
“This moment marks a turning point in how we support women in custody and the professionals who work with them,” said Commissioner Victoria L. Kuhn. “Through cultural reform at the Edna Mahan Correctional Facility, we strengthened accountability, expanded training, and built a safer, more respectful environment. That work became the foundation for this new facility, which reflects the same commitment to rehabilitation, reentry, and dignity. I am proud of how far we have come and confident that New Jersey now stands as a model for modern, trauma-informed corrections.”
