Camden County NJ Juvenile Detention Center

You can support your loved ones at Camden Co Juvenile Detention on InmateAid, if you have any immediate questions contact the facility directly at 856-374-6100.

The Camden County NJ Juvenile Detention Center is a medium to low-security detention center located at 8 Woodbury-Turnersville Rd Blackwood, NJ that is operated locally by the Juvenile Justice Department and holds youths awaiting the determination of punishment for the crimes of which they are accused. Most of the adolescents are here for less than two years.

The juvenile justice system differs from the adult system, focusing on rehabilitation and recognizing the developmental differences in juveniles. It aims to protect both the child and the public and helps juveniles become productive adults.

Juveniles are detained if they pose a threat, may miss court, or violate court orders. Parental involvement is crucial for effective supervision and rehabilitation.

Key differences in terminology include "taken into custody" instead of "arrest" and "supervision" instead of "probation." Referrals usually come from law enforcement, and an intake social worker decides the juvenile's placement. An inquiry can lead to dismissal, corrective action, or court involvement.

The process includes a plea hearing, possible evaluations, a pre-trial conference, a fact-finding hearing, and a dispositional hearing to determine the case's outcome. Parents may need to cover associated costs.

Camden County Juvenile Detention Center is the county’s pre-trial juvenile detention center. Located on the county’s Lakeland Campus outside Blackwood, New Jersey, the center holds boys and girls from Camden County who are accused of delinquent behavior and are awaiting action by the Family Court.

Parent Handbook

Phone calls - When first admitted to the Detention Center, Residents are entitled to one 5 minute phone call a day to parents/guardians. However, the number of calls a resident can make will be changed based on their Level Status. Phone calls to other relatives or friends must be approved by a Social Worker. Residents have access to the phones during scheduled times, which are usually during “free time”. Under special or emergency circumstances, residents can make phone calls to family/friends with the assistance of a Social Worker in their office. Residents may not receive calls during their stay at the Detention Center. In the event that a resident’s attorney or other professional involved with his/her case tries to contact them, a Social Worker will assist the resident with the call. Information received by the Detention Center concerning family emergencies etc. will be relayed to a resident by a Social Worker who will also assist the resident in making the necessary calls.

Personal Items - Exchange of clothes for court may be made between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. (Excluding holidays) Residents who are admitted to this facility with no shoes, dress shoes or boots, can have sneakers dropped off in our lobby during business hours - Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. New sneakers cannot be brought in unless authorized by the Social Worker. Residents who have sneakers, will not be authorized to receive new sneakers unless the old sneakers are unwearable or too small. We provide all residents with soap, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrush, lotion, socks underwear, undershirt and uniform jumper. Parents/Guardians of residents who have skin conditions or allergies may drop off Eucerin lotion, liquid Dove soap and/or stick deodorant Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. (***Bar soap and spray deodorant are not permitted***).

Education - Residents attend school Monday through Friday from 8:45 a.m. until 2:05 p.m. Residents are tested to determine their academic level and are given assignments based on their individual academic level. Our education staff consists of subject certified teachers and instructional assistants. All residents will receive academic credit for attending school while detained. Appropriate report cards and transfers will be sent to your child’s school so that he/she can receive the proper credits. In addition to the regular school day your child attends after school programs. The program operates from 3:30 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Every student is required to attend school during their stay at the Detention Center. They will be academically tested following their admission by a representative from the school program. Their teacher will develop an individualized learning plan for the student using information from the test. If you have any questions regarding education records, you may contact our Education Department at (856) 374 – 6100 extension 2496 or 6122.

Mail - All letters must be sent via US Mail. You are not permitted to give any letters or pictures to your child during visits. Residents are not permitted to have pictures depicting any negative or illegal act. Photographs that are sexual in nature are also prohibited. The Detention Center will provide the residents with envelopes and writing materials to use to write to loved ones, friends, etc… In order to send mail, the residents must know the person’s full name and address. Incoming mail will be opened in front of the resident by their Social Worker. The Social Worker will check the contents for contraband or prohibited items but will not read their letters unless they request help. If a resident receives money through the mail their Social Worker will have it placed on his/her account. Residents may receive photographs through the mail but their Social Worker will inspect them for any inappropriate material. A resident’s mail will be confiscated or denied to them when it raises a legitimate concern regarding the safety and security of the facility and/or the physical and emotional well-being of the resident. Residents may not receive mail from other residents, victims, or witnesses involved in their case, or people that the court has ordered them to have no communication with. Residents may not send mail for the purposes of harassing or threatening other people. If a resident violate any of the rules regarding the Detention Center’s mail policies they will be subject to the appropriate discipline, including charges when necessary.