The Hudson County Correctional Facility (HCCC) first opened in January 1990 in Kearny, New Jersey. As the name denotes, it is owned and operated by the County government to house inmates from across Hudson County. In addition, one dedicated unit serves as an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainee housing facility under contract with the federal government.
The jail operates based on the Performance-Based National Detention Standards (PBNDS) which were instituted in 2008 to regulate operations. Oversight of the HCCC is provided by the ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) New York Field Office. ICE personnel including deportation officers and a detention service manager work on-site at the facility to handle immigrant detainees.
Some key statistics and facts on the Hudson County Correctional Facility:
- Total bed capacity: 476 dedicated for ICE detainee housing
- Average daily population: around 500 inmates/detainees total
- Approximately 200 staff including correctional officers and support personnel
- Contracted food services from GD Correctional Services
- Contracted medical services from Wellpath provider
- Contracted commissary/supplies service through Keefe Commissary
## HCCC's Vision and Values
The Hudson County Correctional Facility outlines its purpose, vision and core values that shape daily operations:
**Purpose:** To serve, protect and preserve life through the vital functions of safety, security and rehabilitation of inmates.
**Vision:** To rebrand corrections as the component of the criminal justice system focused on reincorporating formerly incarcerated individuals as productive, self-sufficient members of society. The facility aims to provide meaningful education, training, rehabilitation services and structure to counteract the hardships and stigmas facing many inmates using the latest innovations available in the field.
**Values:**
- **Respect** - For the rights and inherent dignity of all people. Promoting mutual accountability between the jail administration and general public. Conducting all interactions with courtesy, compassion and professionalism. Valuing and promoting diversity at all levels.
- **Obligation** - Duty to carry out the mission through allegiance, commitment and responsibility to the department, county and citizens. Obligation to uphold the law.
- **Leadership** - Utilizing proper management strategies to demonstrate guidance and inspire others. Setting an example at all levels of the organization.
- **Excellence** - Going above and beyond basic requirements to provide exceptional service and create good outcomes. Encouraging partnerships that enhance service delivery. Continuously reviewing and updating policies and operations. Maximizing use of innovations and technology to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
With this value system as its backbone, the jail administration aspires to make the HCCC a leader in progressive, rehabilitative corrections.
## Overview of Facility Operations
Daily operations at the Hudson County Correctional Facility are overseen by a Director who makes high-level decisions and manages personnel and resources. On-the-ground supervision and implementation is carried out by correctional officers and civilian support staff. There are approximately 200 employees in total operating the jail.
Specialized ICE units within the facility are monitored and managed by deportation officers and a detention service manager. These personnel coordinate care and case management for immigration detainees being held for processing.
The wide array of services offered within the jail include:
- **Social Services Department** - Conducts assessments of inmates, provides counselling services, and helps resolve requests, needs and complaints. Acts as liaison between inmates and other departments.
- **Education Department** - Offers multi-level instruction and classes focused on preparing inmates to take the High School Equivalency exam. Improves knowledge and skills through the academic program.
- **Religious Services** - Maintains spiritual programs, services and counsel for various faiths. Multi-denominational with offerings for many religious backgrounds.
- **Medical Department** - Provides basic medical services for health needs. Contracted through Wellpath.
- **Mental Health Services** - Psychologists and counselors available for assessments, evaluations and therapy. Also contracted through Wellpath.
- **Commissary** - Allows inmates to purchase food, hygiene items, clothing and other approved items using personal funds. Managed by Keefe Commissary Services.
- **Telecommunications** - Provides monitored phone service and video calling to enable communication with approved friends/family. Also offers in-house tablets with messaging functions.
- **Visitation** - Offers in-person visitation, video visitation and legal visits between attorneys and inmate clients. Frequency and duration varies.
This diversity of programming allows inmates caring confinement to serve their sentences along with opportunities for personal growth.
## Inmate Life at the Facility
So what is daily life actually like for those detained behind bars at the Hudson County Correctional Facility?
Inmates at the jail are housed in various units within the secure facility. Different areas, known as "pods", exist for general population, female inmates, those in protective custody, high security risks, and ICE detainees.
Within their assigned housing pod, inmates spend much of their day in a common dayroom area used for recreation and socializing. At scheduled times, groups are brought out to the outdoor recreation yards for fresh air and exercise.
Meals are provided three times daily from the centralized kitchen with menus developed by a professional dietician to meet health and nutritional guidelines. Inmates who have funds deposited into their commissary account can also purchase various supplemental snack foods and drinks during designated hours.
Educational classes, counselling sessions, religious services, medical visits and other programming fill out an inmate's schedule. Tablets mounted in the housing areas provide entertainment and communication options including games, music, ebooks and limited secured messaging functions. Phone access allows approved communication with loved ones on the outside.
Rules and regulations at the facility dictate expected inmate behavior and responsibilities. Inmates must follow all instructions provided by staff and treat personnel respectfully. No fighting, destruction of property or other conduct infractions are tolerated. Contraband items that could compromise safety and security are strictly prohibited. Failure to comply with facility policies result in disciplinary actions such as loss of privileges.
Detainees who follow the rules and participate in rehabilitative programming have opportunities to build skills and turn their lives around. However, defiance of authority and refusal to abide by policies designed to maintain orderly operations face appropriate consequences per established procedures.
## Visitation Schedule, Policies and Options
Maintaining connections with family members and friends outside the correctional environment is an important part of inmate morale, mental health and rehabilitation. The Hudson County Correctional Facility offers various on-site and virtual visitation options to support this access while balancing security considerations.
**On-Site Visitation** sessions must be scheduled online ahead of time to reserve one of the limited slots available in the jail's visitation area. Only non-contact visits separated by glass are allowed - no physical exchange of items can occur. All visitors must adhere to an approved dress code and pass screening procedures to ensure banned contraband does not enter the secured facility. For general population inmates, the standard visitation period runs Saturdays and Sundays from 8am to 3pm. Special allowances may be made in certain cases.
**Video Visitation** is available when on-site options are impractical or restricted. Visitors can register for a free account through the jail's authorized platform to book virtual visitation sessions by web camera. Inmates access the video call from a dedicated terminal. The same facility rules apply regarding appropriate dress, conduct and banned content. Video visits must be scheduled for times the inmate is available.
**Attorney Visits** enable official legal counsel to meet confidentially with their inmate clients to discuss case matters. Attorneys can arrange visits 7 days a week from 8am to 8pm through an online registration system. Proper credentials must be presented. While conversations are kept private, the visiting room itself remains under video monitoring. Electronic devices like laptops or tablets may be permitted if pre-approved. Exchanging any documents or materials is prohibited without authorization.
Used properly, visitation privileges allow inmates to maintain essential community and family ties that can significantly improve their mental well-being and motivation for rehabilitation. However, trafficking of contraband or inappropriate conduct carries serious consequences.
## Upholding Safety Standards and Reporting Abuse
With any confined correctional setting, risks exist around use of force, inmate-on-inmate violence and sexual assault or harassment. The facility maintains zero tolerance for sexual abuse or misconduct in any form.
Extensive training ensures all Hudson County correctional staff are aware of their duty to immediately report any knowledge, suspicion or information regarding sexual harassment, assault or abuse to superiors and designated investigators. Retaliation for reporting is prohibited. Multiple channels also exist for inmates or members of the public to report sexual violence or employee misconduct confidentially:
- Report directly to any facility personnel or leadership
- Submit written complaint via request form, letter or grievance to administration
- Tell trusted visitor to notify department leadership on your behalf
- Call anonymously to designated hotline number posted in housing areas
- Contact external advocacy group for assistance
Once received, the jail administration will examine every allegation thoroughly per established procedures. If warranted, the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office or other agency may get involved. Substantiated incidents or violations will be met with appropriate disciplinary action, criminal prosecution, and even termination or loss of contracts where applicable.
Meeting health and safety needs of victims is also a priority. Medical and mental health services will be offered to provide necessary treatment, counseling and support during recovery. Ongoing monitoring and changes to policies help strengthen prevention efforts. Upholding laws and high standards around inmate treatment is a fundamental cornerstone of the department's mission.
## Contact Information and FAQs
Below are key phone numbers for the Hudson County Correctional Facility and its various departments:
- Main Line: 201-395-5600
- Central Control: ext. 5323
- Visitation Office: ext. 5039
- Record Room: ext. 5082, 5083, 5084
- Commissary: ext. 5035
- Social Services: ext. 5314
- Medical Department: ext. 5058, 5059
The physical address to send mail to inmates is:
Hudson County Correctional Facility
30-35 South Hackensack Ave.
Kearny, NJ 07032
Here are answers to some common questions about the jail:
**How can I find out if someone is at this facility?**
Call 201-395-5600 ext. 5085 to inquire about an inmate's status and location within the jail. Provide the individual's full name and birthday or inmate ID if known.
**What are the guidelines for depositing money into an inmate's account?**
Funds can be deposited into an inmate's commissary account online through third-party services, at lobby kiosks, or via postal money orders. Cash and personal checks cannot be accepted.
**What is the process for scheduling video visitation?**
Register for a free account at hudsoncountynj.gtlvisitme.com/app to book video visits. Schedule sessions for when the inmate has availability based on housing unit schedule.
**Can I give items to an inmate during in-person visits?**
No. Exchanging any items - including food, letters, clothing etc. - is strictly prohibited during on-site visitation.
**If I'm receiving unwanted calls from an inmate, what options do I have?**
You can block calls by pressing 9 when prompted to reject the call. Or submit written request to facility staff to have your number placed on the inmate's restricted list.
## Final Thoughts
In summary, the Hudson County Correctional Facility plays an important role in the local criminal justice system and immigration enforcement operations. The administration's stated vision focuses on rehabilitation and reducing recidivism through education, mental health treatment and teaching of life skills. Safety and ethical conduct are also central tenets. Information provided here aims to explain the jail's functions, inmate services, visitation programs, and means for the public to share questions, input or concerns. Oversight by county and federal agencies provides accountability to ensure operations align with established best practices in corrections.
Phone: 201-395-5600
Physical Address:
Hudson County Correctional Facility
30-35 Hackensack Avenue
Kearny, NJ 07032
Mailing Address (personal mail):
Inmate's Full Name & A-Number
Hudson County Correctional Facility
30-35 Hackensack Avenue
Kearny, NJ 07032
Other Jails and Prisons
When someone that is not a US Citizen gets arrested in the United States, and they are here illegally, depending on what state or city they are arrested in, the person may be turned over to ICE.
Many states such as New York and California, as well as hundreds of US cities, have declared themselves 'sanctuary cities' and do not turn over foreigners here illegally, even if they are committing crimes in their jurisdiction.
However, when an alien here illegally is turned over to ICE, and sent to one of the over 100 Immigration Detention Centers in the United States, the only way to try and locate where they are being detained is using the Online Detainee Locator System.
You can look them up using their assigned A-Number.
You can also try and look them up by using their name.
What is an ICE Detention Center?
Men, women, and children that are in the United States illegally and are apprehended by the US Border Patrol or ICE will most likely be placed in removal proceedings and may be detained in one of the more than 200 jails and detention centers that make up ICE’s detention system.
Many of the illegal immigrants that are detained are held in county and local jails that contract with ICE to detain immigrants. The rest are held in dedicated immigration detention facilities run by ICE or contracted to private prison corporations, including family detention centers that hold mothers and children.
What Determines if an Illegal Immigrant gets Detained?
ICE will typically detain an immigrant because DHS (Homeland Security) believes that an illegal immigrant is either a “flight risk” and may move to another location within the U.S. or that they pose a public safety threat. Detaining the person allows the government to guarantee that the person will show up for their hearing before an Immigration Court.
Some of the reasons that causes an illegal immigrant to get arrested and held in detention prior to their day in court is as follows:
The illegal immigrant has:
How do you find someone that is in an ICE Detention Center?
The first step to finding out if an illegal immigrant is in ICE or DHS custody is by using the ICE Detainee Locator.
It’s easier to find the person if you have an Alien Number (A#), if one exists. A green card or work permit will show this number. If you don’t have an A# the person is much more difficult to locate.
The information you will need is as follows:
If you are having difficulty, try different spellings and the order of how the name is listed.
If the illegal immigrant was only recently detained, the ICE Detainee Locator may not be updated with the latest information. Keep in mind that ICE does not give information (online or over the phone) for people under 18 years of age. In such cases, you can only get information on them from the ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations field office nearest you.
If the person you are looking for is not in an ICE Detention Center, they may have been taken to a local jail that contracts with ICE, so contact their local City and County Jail, all which can be found here.
Another option, short of the expense of hiring an Immigration Lawyer, is to go to this website and use their online form to get their help.
Once an illegal immigrant is located and you find out the facility where they are being held you need to find out the Deportation Officer that has been assigned to their case. The Officer can tell you how to call or visit the detainee, or pay for the detainee to be able to call you, or how you can send any needed items such as clothing, prescriptions, etc.
The last option, and the most expensive, is to hire an experienced immigration attorney to assist you in tracking down the Deportation Officer. If the person being detained requires specific medical care, an attorney can ensure that they receive that care.
If the detained illegal immigrant has been deported from America previously or has an outstanding removal order - in which case they have no right to see an immigration judge - they can be removed within a few days, or even hours, of the initial arrest.
Even if the government does not immediately remove the person, it is possible that they can be moved around to different Detention Centers. There is never a warning that a person is being moved around and during the transfer there is a complete blackout of any information.
How long are people held in ICE Immigration Detention Centers?
The time that an illegal immigrant is held in an ICE Detention Center can vary. It all depends on several factors such as the individual’s personal situation, criminal record, the severity of the crime they are being charged with, previous deportations and the current caseload that the Detention Center is dealing with.
This image portrays the most recent data available on the time a detained illegal immigrant remains in custody before their release and/or deportation.
Can you visit someone in ICE Detention Centers?
The short answer is yes. The person visiting an illegal immigrant in an ICE Detention Center must be lawfully present in the United States. In other words the visitor must have some form of currently valid immigration status at the time of the visit. A detention center or jail will not allow the visit unless visitor can show valid I.D. and offer proof that they are lawfully in the United States.
If you want to become a volunteer that visits illegal immigrants in order to offer emotional support, it may be possible. You can join one of these visitation networks by going here and contacting the network in your area.
What crimes can cause an illegal immigrant to be deported?
(The following information comes from Nolo.com, a trusted legal resource)
These are the straightforward crimes that are mentioned in the immigration law. The statute also lists a number of security violations, such as involvement in espionage, sabotage, terrorism, Nazi persecution, totalitarian parties, and so forth.
Once an illegal immigrant is deported, how long before they can come back to the United States?
If an illegal immigrant has a deportation or removal order in their immigration file, it's possible that they won’t be allowed to enter the U.S. for five, ten, or even 20 years.
The applicable law comes from Section 212 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (I.N.A.).
Five-Year Ban: If they were summarily removed or deported upon arrival at a U.S. port of entry because they were found inadmissible, or if they came to the U.S. but were immediately put into removal proceedings and then removed or deported, they may be ineligible to return to the U.S. for five years. The five-year ban also applies if they failed to show up for their removal hearing in the United States.
Ten-Year Ban: If a ‘removal order’ was issued at the conclusion of their removal hearing in Immigration Court, they may not be able to return for ten years after their removal or departure.
Twenty-Year Ban: If they were convicted of an aggravated felony or have received more than one order of removal, they are barred from returning to the U.S. for 20 years. And if they entered without permission after having been removed, or illegally reentered the U.S. after having previously been in the U.S. unlawfully for more than one year, they may be barred from entering the United States for 20 years or permanently.
This facility, known as "Hudson County Correctional Facility" is also known as ICE Detention Facility, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
