Middlesex County Jail New Jersey: A 5,000-Inmate Facility

Middlesex County Jail is located in North Brunswick, New Jersey, and houses approximately 5,000 inmates. The jail is operated by the Middlesex County Sheriff's Office.

History

The Middlesex County Jail was built in 1985. The jail was designed to house 2,500 inmates, but the population has since grown to over 5,000. The jail has been the subject of several lawsuits over the years, including a class-action lawsuit filed by inmates in 2014. The lawsuit alleged that the jail was overcrowded, understaffed, and unsanitary. The lawsuit was settled in 2016, and the jail agreed to make a number of changes to improve conditions for inmates.

Population

As of 2021, the Middlesex County Jail housed 5,012 inmates. The jail population is predominantly male, with 85% of inmates being male and 15% being female. The average age of inmates is 35 years old.

Programs and Services

The Middlesex County Jail offers a variety of programs and services to inmates, including:

• Educational programs: The jail offers a variety of educational programs, including GED classes, adult basic education classes, and college courses.
• Vocational programs: The jail offers a variety of vocational programs, including carpentry, welding, and culinary arts.
• Substance abuse treatment programs: The jail offers a variety of substance abuse treatment programs, including drug and alcohol counseling, and medication-assisted treatment.
• Mental health services: The jail offers a variety of mental health services, including individual and group therapy, and medication management.

Controversies

The Middlesex County Jail has been the subject of several controversies over the years, including:

• Overcrowding: The jail has been overcrowded for many years, and the population has grown to over 5,000 inmates. The overcrowding has led to a number of problems, including violence, unsanitary conditions, and inadequate medical care.
• Understaffing: The jail is also understaffed, with only about 300 corrections officers to oversee 5,000 inmates. The understaffing has led to a number of problems, including security breaches, inadequate supervision of inmates, and excessive use of force.
• Unsanitary conditions: The jail has been cited for a number of unsanitary conditions, including mold, mildew, and vermin. The unsanitary conditions have led to a number of health problems for inmates, including respiratory infections, skin infections, and gastrointestinal problems.
• Inadequate medical care: The jail has been cited for providing inadequate medical care to inmates. The inadequate medical care has led to a number of deaths and serious injuries.

Recent Developments

In 2016, the Middlesex County Jail settled a class-action lawsuit filed by inmates. The lawsuit alleged that the jail was overcrowded, understaffed, and unsanitary. The lawsuit was settled for $10 million, and the jail agreed to make a number of changes to improve conditions for inmates.

The jail has since made some progress in addressing the problems that have been identified. The jail has increased staffing levels, improved sanitation, and expanded access to medical care. However, the jail remains overcrowded, and many of the problems that have been identified have yet to be fully resolved.

Resources

• Middlesex County Jail website
• Middlesex County Jail Inmate Handbook
• Middlesex County Jail Class-Action Lawsuit Settlement Agreement

Frequently Asked Questions

How many inmates are housed at the Middlesex County Jail?

As of 2021, the Middlesex County Jail housed 5,012 inmates.

What is the average age of inmates at the Middlesex County Jail?

The average age of inmates at the Middlesex County Jail is 35 years old.

What types of programs and services are offered to inmates at the Middlesex County Jail?

The Middlesex County Jail offers a variety of programs and services to inmates, including educational programs, vocational programs, substance abuse treatment programs, and mental health services.

What are some of the controversies surrounding the Middlesex County Jail?

The Middlesex County Jail has been the subject of several controversies over the years, including overcrowding, understaffing, unsanitary conditions, and inadequate medical care.

What steps have been taken to address the problems at the Middlesex County Jail?

The Middlesex County Jail has taken a number of steps to address the problems that have been identified, including increasing staffing levels, improving sanitation, and expanding access to medical care. However, the jail remains overcrowded, and many of the problems that have been identified have yet to be fully resolved.