TRENTON, N.J. — Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin announced the formation of the Youth Justice Working Group to explore repurposing options for the New Jersey Training School and the Female Secure Care and Intake Facility, which are slated to close. This initiative is part of the state’s ongoing comprehensive youth justice reform.
The reforms have significantly reduced the number of young people sent to detention centers and Juvenile Justice Commission (JJC) facilities. In 2017, New Jersey decided to close these two facilities and allocate funds to build new, smaller facilities offering intensive support services. The first of these new facilities is expected to open in 2027.
The creation of the Youth Justice Working Group follows recommendations from the Task Force for the Continued Transformation of Youth Justice in New Jersey, established by Governor Phil Murphy in 2018. The task force aimed to identify strategies for further reform and repurposing the soon-to-be-closed facilities.
“As a national leader in youth justice reform, New Jersey has made significant strides in improving the well-being of our justice-involved youth,” said Governor Murphy. “The Youth Justice Working Group will provide recommendations to ensure the mindful repurposing of the New Jersey Training School and the Female Secure Care and Intake Facility, continuing our efforts to create a stronger, fairer, more equitable, and restorative juvenile justice system.”
Attorney General Platkin emphasized New Jersey’s status as a model for systemic youth justice reform, primarily through the Juvenile Detention Alternative Initiative (JDAI). “Our comprehensive efforts have drastically reduced the number of youth entering the justice system. The working group announced today will identify innovative uses for the two facilities set to close, creating new opportunities for youth, particularly those from historically disenfranchised communities.”
The Female Secure Care and Intake Facility in Bordentown is located on the site of the former New Jersey Manual Training and Industrial School for Colored Youth, also known as the Bordentown School. Founded by Rev. Walter A. Rice, the Bordentown School was a significant secondary school for African Americans until it closed in the 1950s. The Working Group will honor the Bordentown School’s legacy and New Jersey’s progress in youth justice transformation.
Joining Attorney General Platkin were Ryan P. Haygood, President and CEO of the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice; Rev. Dr. Charles Boyer, Executive Director of Salvation and Social Justice and Pastor of Greater Mt. Zion AME Church in Trenton; and alumni of the Bordentown School, including John Medley, class of 1954.
Ryan Haygood commended the initiative, stating, “New Jersey has become a national leader by reducing youth incarceration and investing in community-based programs. The closure and repurposing of these facilities, potentially into a 21st-century version of the historic Bordentown School, is a testament to our progress.”
Rev. Dr. Charles Boyer reflected on the legacy of the Bordentown School’s founders and expressed gratitude for the continued efforts to support New Jersey’s youth. “I am honored to continue the work begun by Rev. Walter A. Rice and Rev. I. W. L. Rountree. The closing of these facilities and the move towards a more affirmative vision for our children is a significant step forward.”
The Youth Justice Working Group’s recommendations will shape the future use of the New Jersey Training School and the Female Secure Care and Intake Facility, ensuring they contribute positively to the community and support the state’s youth justice reform efforts.
