Nationally Recognized Reentry Services for Union County Inmates

Union County has entered into an agreement with the Hudson County Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, in partnership with the Hudson County Department of Housing and Community Reintegration, to provide residential substance abuse treatment and reentry Services to inmates from Union County.

Resolutions in support of the agreement were passed by the Commissioner Boards of Hudson and Union counties on Thursday, September 23.

“Union County has been pursuing opportunities to reduce incarceration, prevent recidivism, and help individuals in the criminal justice system find a secure economic and social footing in their community. The new agreement with Hudson County builds on that commitment by allying our efforts with a top-rated program,” said Union County Commissioner Chairman Alexander Mirabella.

“We’re pleased to enter this agreement with Union County,” said Hudson County Executive Tom DeGise. “Our Corrections & Rehabilitation Center will provide state-leading, innovative substance abuse treatment and community reintegration services for those entrusted to us by Union County. I want to thank Chairman Mirabella and the Union County Board of Commissioners for their vote of confidence in our facility. This is the future for HCC&R—one focused on offering a progressive, treatment and reintegration-based approach to reducing recidivism throughout the region.”

The Hudson County Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s Reintegration Program has been nationally recognized for its ability to provide comprehensive education, training, housing, financial, medical, and social support, providing a variety of medical, social, and clinical services on-site.

Hudson County is the only jail in the State, and one of few nationally, to have a certified one-stop employment and training center operating within its walls, including adult life skills, literacy, ABE, ESL, and High School Diploma classes, as well as New Jersey Department of Labor Certified pre-vocational training and other vocational training along with additional resources including a law library.

In addition, the Hudson County Division of Reentry runs the only county-based residential substance abuse treatment program certified by the New Jersey Division of Mental Health & Addictions Services. The program is designed to address housing and other barriers to reentry along with direct clinical care.

Hudson County’s comprehensive reentry program includes a pre-release program coordinated with welfare benefits, housing, and follow-up care with appropriate medication.

The agreement with Hudson County will involve the transfer of Union County inmates currently housed at the Delaney Hall facility in Essex County. A grant from the New Jersey Department of Corrections will cover the cost of the program.

The agreement with Hudson County is part of a series of steps taken by the Union County Commissioner Board that reflect broad changes in the criminal justice system.

This year Union County successfully completed the transfer of inmates from the Union County Jail in Elizabeth to the Essex County Jail, a move that is expected to save approximately $103 million over five year. The transfer follows a significant drop in the Union County Jail population.

In 2019, Union County also closed its Juvenile Detention Center, saving $24.6 million a year, and sending its detainees to the Essex County Juvenile Detention Center in Newark.

Funding for the Hudson County program is provided through a grant from the New Jersey Department of Corrections.

For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

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