New Jersey begins process to close two youth detention centers

NEW JERSEY (KYW Newsradio) — Efforts to reimagine two youth correctional facilities in New Jersey are just getting underway as Attorney General Matt Platkin announced a working group to determine their future design and purpose on Thursday.

The facilities destined for the change are a boys’ center in Jamesburg and a girls’ center in Bordentown.

Platkin said the changes come as there has been a major downturn in youth detentions across the state from 12,000 to just 1,600.

“These are remarkable reductions in the neighborhood of 85%-90%,” he said. “And I also think it’s important to underscore, this reduction in the population in our county and state facilities corresponded with a reduction in crime.”

The working group tasked with developing a new use for the centers includes state workers, community partners, and advocates with a focus on creating opportunities for young people and reducing crime even further.