Inmate Services

Social Services

Social services is the direct first line contact with the inmates. The staff's responsibility is to directly respond to a variety of inmate request for services from both internal units and external agencies involved with the inmate's legal and social needs.

It must be emphasized, however, that the safety and security of all inmates and the correction’s staff is of paramount importance. Therefore, special visits or personal phone calls will not be allowed nor will the counselor accept any literature or books a family member may want the inmate to read.

Lastly, because of privacy laws, counselors may not share specific medical, psychiatric or substance abuse information with anyone unless the inmate signs a release of information.

Educational and Vocational Services

Educational and vocational services provide all inmates with an opportunity to improve their educational and vocational knowledge and skills, so that they may become productive citizens when they return to the community. Inmates are provided with an opportunity to take classes in Adult basic education (abe), Pre general equivalency diploma (pre-GED) and general equivalency diploma (GED).

This program offers the (GED) test through the NJ Department of Corrections and has demonstrated a significant success rate by assisting numerous inmates, each year, with earning their (GED) prior to release.

Various classes and workshops are presented by the inmate services employment counselor and a representative from the NJ Department of Labor. Opportunities are provided for vocational skills development, such as basic culinary skills or other trades. Life skills classes, including parenting and job readiness preparation are a major part of this program.

Job placement assistance is available to inmates in need of help locating employment upon release.

Inmate Telephones

If you want to transfer money to an inmate's telephone account, please go to ConnectNetwork (24 hour-a-day access) or call (800) 483-8314 (Monday – Friday 08:00 am – 6:00 pm EST).

More Information

Library Services

Library services provide legal books, materials and supplies in accordance with the New Jersey Administrative Code 10a and the Atlantic County Justice Facility policies and procedures. A law library and recreational library are maintained by this section.

Medical Services

Medical services provides inmates with all necessary medical, dental, mental health counseling and substance/alcohol abuse counseling and treatment. While most treatments are available in the facility, affiliations are available through local treatment facilities as well.

Religious Services

Religious services provides for the religious needs of the inmates while they are incarcerated and creates a bridge of follow-up after their release. All religious programs and activities are initiated, designed, managed and recorded by the chaplain. All religious volunteers who lead in the programs are supervised, orientated, trained and evaluated by our chaplain.

Volunteer Services

Volunteer services, under the direction of the director of inmate services and the chaplain, the volunteer assists in the routine operations of the Atlantic County Justice Facility. The volunteers are assigned duties which best match their knowledge, skills, abilities and interest.

The volunteer program continues to expand. This is in part, the result of a proactive recruiting campaign. Internships are available twelve months a year. The internship program is an excellent way for individuals to gain experience to enter the job market. Job opportunities have been made available.

Discharge Planning

On Feb. 22, 2005, the Atlantic County Jail formally implemented a discharge planning process. A clinician assesses all county-sentenced inmates who are scheduled for release and links each inmate to specific services to increase the probability of stabilization.

Some examples of services are housing location, food stamps, General Assistance (GA), Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), employment, mental health, HIV testing, physical health, child support, Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous.

Representatives from private, non-profit agencies meet with each inmate approximately 10 days before release and begin the application process and schedule appointments when the inmate returns to the community.