Garden State Youth Correctional Facility: Overview, Programs, and Reforms

The Garden State Youth Correctional Facility (GSYCF) is a juvenile detention center in Chesterfield, New Jersey, operated by the NJ Department of Corrections.

Key Facts

• Population: Male juveniles, ages 15–19, adjudicated delinquent or in need of supervision.
• Capacity: ~300 inmates.
• Programs: Education, vocational training, counseling, recreation.
• Accreditation: American Correctional Association (ACA) since 2003.

2018 Audit & Reforms

A 2018 NJ Office of the State Auditor report cited needs for better staffing, enhanced staff training, and improved mental health services. The Department of Corrections responded by hiring more staff, expanding training, and increasing mental health resources.