Atlantic County Department of Public Safety (New Jersey)

The Atlantic County Department of Public Safety provides various public services within its mission. The Department consists of the Division of Adult Detention, which operates the Atlantic County Justice Facility: the Division of Youth Detention, which operates Harborfields; the Office of Emergency Preparedness; the Police Training Center, which operates the Atlantic County Range Facility; the Office of Highway Safety and the Office of the Medical Examiner. The Director of Emergency Preparedness is responsible for overseeing emergency management planning for the county, the Fire Training Center and the Office of the Fire Marshal. The Department accomplishes its mission by providing 24-hour-a-day coverage to the residents of Atlantic County.

Atlantic County Jail

Gerard L. Gormely Justice Facility

The Gerard L. Gormley Justice Facility opened in 1985 and was built to house 398 inmates. Since that time, the facility has undergone substantial growth and expansion and now houses an average 1000 inmates with custody jurisdiction over an additional 250 inmates who are sentenced to various community programs.

The Atlantic County Department of Public Safety is charged with the operation of the Justice Facility. The New Jersey Administrative Office of the Courts has recognized the Justice Facility's inmate classification program by incorporating it into their statewide computer system for use by all associated counties in New Jersey. In October, 1997, the Justice Facility opened its own Correction Officers Academy, certified by the New Jersey Police Training Commission, and graduating its first class in January 1998. The Academy training at the Canale Training Center trains all Atlantic County Correction Officers and will accept trainees from other New Jersey Counties.

The Justice Facility is located at 5060 Atlantic Ave., Mays Landing, New Jersey. It is an Adult Detention Facility housing male and female inmates who are pretrial, county sentenced and in certain instances, state sentenced awaiting shipment or state inmates contracted to the Facility. The Facility has two main sections, the Main Jail Building and the Main Jail Annex.

Current Organizational Structure

• Warden, which is currently held by Geraldine Cohen
• Deputy Warden David Cohen

Community Release Programs

Work Release

Work Release permits inmate participants to leave the facility and work or study in the community. The operating parameters of Work Release are clearly delineated in N.J.S.A. 10A:31-25. Eligibility criteria is incorporated in 10A:31-25.6. Inmates approved for participation in Work Release are permitted to leave the facility to attend work, educational opportunities, or care for their families. All inmates are provided pre - approved and verified schedules, work or study sites, and transportation to and from the facility. The inmates employer must agree to allow the inmate to participate, and the employment must meet State standards. If either of these two conditions are not met, the employment is disallowed and the inmate will be sent out on public service work assignments until approved employment is obtained. Verification Patrol Officers periodically check work or study sites to insure program compliance.

Home Electronic Detention (HEDS)

The basic concept of the Home Detention program is that an electronic monitoring device is attached to the inmate and monitoring equipment is installed in the inmate's home. The inmate is then housed in their home. The monitoring device is equipped with an anti - tampering fail safe device and the monitoring equipment is connected via telephone to the central monitoring station at the facility. If the inmate leaves home without permission or attempts to remove or otherwise circumvent the attached transmitting device, the central monitoring station is automatically alerted. Inmates are allowed to go to work, school, and other specified locations on a pre - approved basis. Transportation is also on a pre - approved basis, as is the route in which the inmate is allowed to take. This program also has the selected feature of monitoring the inmate for alcohol or breathalyzer test. This is done by a device which is connected to the equipment in the home. At random intervals when the inmate is home, an audible signal is sounded and the inmate must take the test. A series of pre - established words are repeated by the inmate, and the inmate will blow air into this unit when instructed. The inmates breath is then electronically checked for alcohol content, and delivered to the central monitoring station. Mobile verification equipment and Verification Patrol Officers insure participants are actually at the approved locations when they are outside of their homes. Home Electronic Detention System or HEDS program permits a wider level of freedom than Work Release and enables the inmate to begin their reintegration into the community. The philosophy of "ZERO TOLERANCE" is adopted by this program and stringently enforced. This is the first complete step back into the community, and no inappropriate behavior is tolerated.

Day Reporting (DRP)

The Day Reporting Program Phase allows inmates to live at home without electronic monitoring, and report to the Day Reporting Program Office at the Main Jail Annex of the Atlantic County Justice Facility two or more days per week and move about the community without first obtaining permission.. While in the Day Reporting Program, the inmate participates in various public service work details. An inmate is directly sentenced by the courts to this program. Qualifying non profit organizations or municipalities may use Day Reporting (DRP) inmates for approved public service assignments. The persons supervising the inmates are orientated / instructed on how to do so. This supervision is exclusive of and independent of the field verification officers who randomly check the inmates while they are within the community.

The DRP inmate reports to the facility as directed or scheduled. An average DRP inmate reports to the facility at 7:00 AM, two consecutive days a week. These days are selected during orientation into the program. Employed inmates are given preference for scheduling to match their days off.

Academy

Eligible Candidates will be appointed as Correction Officer Recruit and will be required to satisfactorily complete a 14-week, NJ Police Training Commission course, at the Atlantic County Police Academy. The Atlantic County Police Academy conducts basic course for county correction officers, with instructors who are certified by the Police Training Commission. Training classes include arrest, search and seizure, use of force, criminal law, first aid/CPR, weaponry, un-armed defensive tactics, intensive physical conditioning, security concepts, human relations and professional development. Those who successfully complete the training program will be appointed as a correction officer and will serve a one-year probabtion period. The academy training is divided into three areas of training:

• Physical Fitness: The Physical Education and Self-Defense Program emphasizes physical conditioning which includes running and various strength building exercises.
• Academics: The Academic portion of the Academy training will include a college level course of studies such as psychological and sociological issues, Language and Communications skills, Criminal Law, Constitutional Issues, Correctional and Police Practice procedures, etc. There will be comprehensive examinations and written assignments.
• Firearms Training: Firearms Training includes firearms safety and weapon qualifications.^[1]

Power and Authority of Corrections Officers

New Jersey Correction Officers are given state wide peace officers powers and authority. With this authority, Correctional Officers are required to enforce 2C (New Jersey Criminal Code) on and off grounds of the facility.

Corrections Officer Responsibilities

The New Jersey State Correction Officer is responsible, during an assigned tour of duty, to ensure the custody, safety and care of criminal offenders confined in State correctional facilities.^[1]

The Office of Emergency Preparedness

The Office of Emergency Preparedness (OEP) is responsible for coordinating responses to natural disasters, technological emergencies and severe weather emergencies in Atlantic County. The office works closely with local municipal emergency management coordinators to ensure a rapid, well coordinated response to emergencies and to avoid unnecessary duplications of service.

During times of severe emergencies or disasters the office activates the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) which is located in a hurricane proof wing of the Anthony "Tony" Canale Training Center.

The Office of Emergency Preparedness continually develops and revises Atlantic County's Emergency Operations Plan to address the potential threats to the County.

Youth Detention - Harborfields

Program Description

Harborfields operates under the auspices of the County of Atlantic, Department of Public Safety and is managed, under contract, by the State of New Jersey, Department of Law and Public Safety, Juvenile Justice Commission. Harborfields is located on Buffalo Avenue and Duerer Street in the City of Egg Harbor, New Jersey. The Program serves male and female juveniles between the ages of 12 and 18 awaiting court review for disposition, trial or other court action. The facility has 8 secure beds for females and 19 secure beds for males.

Program Goals

Harborfields meets the needs of the community as a secure facility for juveniles who have been deemed unsuitable for release pending court appearance. Harborfields also works to stabilize juveniles by structuring their day with educational activities.

Primary Services

1. Counseling Component - Guided Group Interaction is conducted daily by two staff for approximately 1 hour per session. Individual Counseling is provided as needed by staff social workers.

2. Academic Education, Special Education and GED preparation are provided by the Atlantic County Special Services School District with the expectation that youth will return to the regional public school or transitional school.

3. Drug and Alcohol Counseling as well as Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous sessions are provided through the County Youth Services Commission, as needed.

4. Recreation and Athletics are conducted in the facility gymnasium by the Physical Education Teacher provided by the Atlantic County Special Services School District.

5. Sex Education and Parenting classes are provided by an on-site Program Specialist.

6. Community involvement is maintained through special events which include speakers such as the Mayors of Atlantic City and Egg Harbor, members of the police department, and people from other walks of life.

7. In House Detention Program - The facility manages a 10 slot program which places youth onhouse arrest under the shared supervision of parents and detention officers. The intention is to have the youth continue in usual community activities pending court appearance.

Admission Criteria

Upon arrest, a juvenile must be seen by Juvenile Intake for determination of detainable offense which would result in the youth being remanded to Harborfields.

Animal Shelter

The Atlantic County Animal Shelter was developed as a regional response to the needs of local municipalities for an animal control shelter. It opened in October 1995. The Animal Shelter operates with a small staff and volunteers who help handle the care and feeding of the animals. Animals may be adopted by members of the public. The shelter offers educational programs. Schools and organizations are welcome to tour the facility and meet with the staff. Donations of pet food and supplies are greatly appreciated.

References

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