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Freeholders Hear Architect's Plan for Jail Renovation
cape may county correctional center | 12 weeks 21 hours ago | Comments 14
CREST HAVEN -- It is a rare day when the Cape May County Correctional Center has fewer than 300 inmates.
That overcrowded facility on the east side of Garden State Parkway in the Crest Haven Complex of county owned land, was built in 1981. It was designed for about 180, but the number remains well above that, even in off-peak season.
On Aug. 26, Architect Robert Garrison, hired by the county last year to study the center and make renovation recommendations, made his presentation to freeholders at their afternoon meeting.
He pointed to two designs of the present facility, and noted that, after a “comprehensive look at all the infrastructure as well as the physical facility,” he proposed a two story addition of 26 pre-fabricated concrete cells on each floor that would add 104 spaces for inmates.
Built onto the southernmost part of the facility, Garrison said the construction would take place without the need for inmate interruption, so that security would be maintained throughout construction, which he projected done in two years.
Once the new part if done, renovation of the existing facility can be begun, he said.
In addition, new mechanical room upgrades would ensure energy efficiency of the new facility.
When that new structure is done, the jail would also have an inside exercise yard, surrounded on all sides by walls, unlike the present exercise yard that is exposed on four sides, Garrison said.
“This will allow them to have more controlled exercise area for the inmates,” he said.
“I guarantee you one thing,” said Garrison, “The operating cost will go down substantially when we complete this operation based on what you have now.”
Garrison estimated the facility could take 18 months to construct, and possibly, up to two years, “depending on how much we run into. If we get the process started this fall, by this time next year, the new facility should be there except for the mechanical room.
“We will bring in (pre-fabricated) two-man boxes that will sit and stack,” said Garrison.
Vice Director Ralph Sheets said of the plan and prints, “It is a beautiful move.”
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Comments (14)
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Mon, 09/01/2008 - 7:56pm
I have had relatives in that Jail and you sound like one of the few *** officers that work there who think because you have a badge you can do what ever you want. The Warden is a professional who dosen't pass judgement like you do. You probably call yourself a christian to. Sounds like you should quit your job before you go to jail to.
Mon, 09/01/2008 - 6:45pm
I agree that something needs to be done. Along with an expansion increase the number of officers. The officers are dangerously out numbered. One day the inmates are going to realize that it is over 300 of them to14 officers on a good day.
Mon, 09/01/2008 - 4:05pm
Wow. There certainly are a lot of strongly felt opinions about the jail, in reference to the expansion and the political framework. These are opinions coming from individuals who are employed at the jail or part of this framework, obviously, because they state very intimate details. My only question is, if you feel so strongly about how the jail is run, why not use this energy and strong convictions to get the wheels turning toward change?
Sun, 08/31/2008 - 6:07pm
*** overworked? Are you kidding me? These people are the scum of the Earth and there is no "saving" them. Just eliminate *** position all together and save the County some money. The Warden can do *** job. He enjoys going to CVS to get Shampoo for an Inmate who is not even processed yet. Why is he not processed? Its against his religion. Are you kidding me? Drag that scumbag out of his cell and process him!!!!!!!!! If you come to jail just say its agianst your religion and you can still get everything you want too. Just make sure you write to the Warden. Cape May County Correctional Center? More like Cape May County Day Care. What about Mr. ***? He is the one who is overworked and doing a great job!!!
Sun, 08/31/2008 - 3:12pm
The *** who was in charge of the dog pound. You remember half of the dog pound was arrested for one thing or another the other half left early with *** because they thought they were going to caught next, Wow and they can say the place was run better under *** command. I wonder what they were doing during *** reign of terror.Good thing this Sheriff had the integrity to clean house, Plousis would have let it go.
Sun, 08/31/2008 - 12:01am
I was wondering what Lt.*** he was referring to, the *** or the *** . I believe this is a better ran organization from the one about 10 years ago. This department finally got rid of the dirty officers including the one who was sleeping with the inmates(who is now in state prison) and his pal who was bringing in drugs for the inmates. No coincidence they were both good friends with a former *** Both officers were fired and for some unknown reason the drunk Lt. resigned, which was better for the department. However, I do agree *** is over worked and does a great job.
Thu, 08/28/2008 - 4:04pm
The bigger jail will make it saffer for the staff and inmates by
Being able to separate trouble makers and disease control if needed. I always thought of this county to be such a nice place to live but everytime I read somthing on here and see all the nasty blogers I wonder.
If you think you can do a better job run for office
Wed, 08/27/2008 - 7:59pm
Bring back the Death Penalty in NJ and the old world justice of an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. This will deter criminals, which will lessen the need for more "hotel rooms" for them during the winter months in Cape May County. I see many "beg" the judges to put them in jail over the winter for petty thefts so they have warmth and food....True fact.
How about public humiliation. You get caught shoplifting from a store, you are sentenced to walking the front sidewalks carrying a sign stating "I stole from this store, costing you to pay more for your products". This will be a great thing to deter people from comitting crimes..... Saves the taxpayers money and thus reduces crime.
The illegal aliens, what a joke....ICE comes, takes their information and then scedules a deportation hearing for them, which takes months. The illegals laugh at this, make money and go back during the Winter months anyway, coming with a new identity, your identity...to a different part of the county....By the way, they enter the country illegally, therefore not needing the required immunizations, and then pro-creating and spreading diseases.
Wed, 08/27/2008 - 7:46pm
Of course the current regime will run it. The Warden will create 3 new jobs for his "special officers" who golf with him, and not hire any new Officers to actually run the jail. The current administration, from the Sheriff on down, has been running this department as a cash cow, look how many employees on the senior staff that are actually retired and collecting a second, or even, third paycheck. Look into how many Officers have been given non custody staff titles because of who they are friends with (safety Officer, Investigator, classification, Jail records, K9 ). Maybe they can put the Lt.*** in charge of the unit. How about the Sgt. who *** or the Sgt. who maced and handcuffed a drunk inmate, or the one with the gambling problem? Notice they are increasing the cells, but not the visiting area, how about increased A.A. or N.A classes, how about rehabilitation classes for those who are incarcerated? Any comments from the staff? The last people who cared about inmates there were Jean Crean (who was so overworked) and Lt. Wilson who ran inmate affairs like he actually cared about "corrections". Ralph Sheets think's this is a beautiful move, I agree they need more space, but when was the last time he actually set foot within the facility he is supposed to oversee. Maybe he'll show up if they have a 4-H Fair there.
Wed, 08/27/2008 - 3:22pm
wen you be puttin the 18 hole gulf course in?
Wed, 08/27/2008 - 12:32pm
Are they stupid or something??? They are adding 104 spots, but already say that there is over 300 inmates in the jail on a regular basis. It doesnt take an *** to do the math to realize with this addition they will only have 284 cells for inmates. Why dont they plan for the future and put in like 170 more cells so they can house 350 inmates??
Great minds are working at the county.
Wed, 08/27/2008 - 9:04am
Plans look great. The need is definately there. However, Who will run it? Hopefully not the current regime.
Wed, 08/27/2008 - 8:28am
our high schools are overcrowded too, honest hard working non criminal tax payers that l grew up and live in this county live in over crowded rooms and some on the streets, spent the millions on them..... jail is a punishment let them be crowded .
Tue, 08/26/2008 - 11:06pm
Is there any data available which enumerates the number of illegal aliens who might possibly be in the jail?