Honestly, if you live in New Jersey, you’ve probably heard the name Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Women pop up in the news for all the wrong reasons. It’s the kind of place that sounds like a relic from a different century, and frankly, it is. Built in 1913, this sprawling complex in Union Township has spent the last few years under a microscope so intense it eventually led to a decision most people thought they’d never see: a total shutdown.
But here’s the thing—you can’t just flip a switch and close a state’s only women’s prison. It’s a messy, expensive, and deeply emotional process that’s still unfolding right now in 2026.
The Breaking Point: Why Closure Became the Only Option
For decades, Edna Mahan was plagued by rumors. Then those rumors turned into lawsuits. Then the lawsuits turned into federal investigations. The real "point of no return" happened in January 2021. That night, a series of "cell extractions" turned into what the Attorney General later described as a brutal, coordinated attack on incarcerated women.
We’re talking about women being punched and pepper-sprayed while handcuffed. It was caught on camera. It was undeniable.
Governor Phil Murphy didn't just apologize; he announced the facility would be shuttered for good. He basically admitted the culture of the place was so toxic and the buildings so dilapidated that it was beyond saving. By the time the dust settled, New Jersey had agreed to a massive $21 million settlement with over 200 current and former inmates. That’s a lot of taxpayer money, but it was the price of years of systemic sexual and physical abuse that the state simply failed to stop.
Where Are the Women Now?
If you drive past the old site today, it’s not empty, but it’s definitely a ghost of its former self. As of early 2026, the transition is in full swing.
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Most of the women—specifically those in minimum security—were moved a while back to a "satellite" facility. It’s actually the old William H. Fauver Youth Correctional Facility, just a few miles down the road. It’s not a permanent home, but it’s got actual climate control and more natural light than the 110-year-old crumbling walls of the main Edna Mahan campus.
The current population stats are pretty telling:
- Capacity: Originally meant for over 700.
- Current count: Hovering around 390 incarcerated persons in 2026.
- Status: Medium and maximum-security residents are still at the old site while they wait for the new spot to be finished.
It’s a weird "in-between" phase. You’ve got half the population in a temporary satellite and the other half in a facility that’s literally being decommissioned around them.
The New $310 Million "Campus" in Chesterfield
So, what replaces a century-old prison? The state broke ground on a brand-new facility in Chesterfield, Burlington County, in late 2025. It’s a massive $310 million project that is supposed to look less like a cage and more like a campus.
The goal here isn't just "new paint." The Department of Corrections (NJDOC) is trying to shift the entire philosophy of how they treat women in the system. They’re talking about "trauma-informed care." This new spot is being designed for about 420 beds, focused on rehabilitation rather than just storage.
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Think about it this way: the old Edna Mahan had literal cage doors that screeched every time they moved. The new place is supposed to have dorm-style housing, communal living rooms, and actual classrooms for things like the Pratt Institute fashion design program. It’s located right near the Garden State Youth Correctional Facility, which makes it way easier for families from South and Central Jersey to actually visit.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Transition
A lot of people think closing Edna Mahan solves everything overnight. It doesn't.
There’s a federal monitor involved now. Because of a consent decree with the U.S. Department of Justice, New Jersey is under a legal microscope. They have to prove they’ve fixed the "culture" before the feds will let them off the hook.
Expert Insight: Victoria Kuhn, the NJDOC Commissioner, has been adamant that "the foundation for success is already being poured." They’ve implemented body cameras for all officers and overhauled how sexual misconduct is reported.
But advocates are still nervous. They’re worried that once a new Governor takes office or the federal monitor leaves, the old habits might crawl back in. That’s why there’s such a push in the state legislature right now to codify these reforms into permanent law. You don't want the safety of these women to depend on who happens to be in charge of the department that week.
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The Namesake: Who Was Edna Mahan?
It’s kinda ironic, but the facility was named after a woman who was actually a pioneer in prison reform. Edna Mahan was the superintendent for 40 years, starting in 1928. Back then, she was a radical. She took the bars off the windows! She let the women run a "student government" and even keep their babies with them until they were two years old.
She believed in dignity. Somewhere along the way, the institution that bore her name lost that vision entirely. Closing the facility is, in a way, a weirdly respectful nod to her original mission—admitting that the current version of the prison failed her legacy.
What to Watch for in 2026 and 2027
If you're following this story, keep an eye on these milestones:
- Construction Progress: The Chesterfield site is scheduled for "earnest" construction throughout 2026. If there are delays, the costs will balloon.
- Federal Compliance: The court-appointed monitor is expected to decide by late 2026 if New Jersey has met enough of the safety benchmarks to end the consent decree.
- The Move: We are looking at 2028 for the final, total relocation of every woman out of the Clinton site.
Practical Steps for Families and Advocates
If you have a loved one currently in the system or you’re just a concerned taxpayer, here’s the reality of what you can do.
First, stay on top of the Board of Trustees meetings. They were created specifically to provide community oversight, and they actually listen to complaints about things like medical care and transportation. Second, watch the budget hearings. The $310 million price tag is a lot, but staying in the old facility would have cost $160 million just in repairs. It’s a "good money after bad" situation.
Basically, Edna Mahan is a lesson in what happens when an institution is allowed to rot—physically and morally—for too long. The next two years will determine if New Jersey can actually build something better, or if they’re just moving the same problems to a shinier building.
To stay informed, you can check the regular updates posted by the NJ Spotlight News or the NJDOC’s Office of Compliance, which are required to release quarterly reports on the progress of the transition and the safety of the current population.