Levinson Backs Regional Jail; Sheriff Wants Replacement to Stay in Atlantic County

MAYS LANDING, N.J. — Atlantic County Executive Dennis Levinson says the county's aging jail has reached the point where replacement is unavoidable, and he believes the best answer is a regional correctional facility outside Atlantic County — putting him at odds with Sheriff Joseph “Tokyo Joe” O'Donoghue, who wants the jail to remain local.

Commissioner June Byrnes, meanwhile, says she's not ready to choose either option.

The competing views illustrate the difficult and potentially expensive decision confronting Atlantic County as officials determine what to do with the Gerard L. Gormley Justice Facility in Mays Landing.

“The jail is antiquated. It is falling apart. We need a new one,” Levinson said Friday during an appearance with Byrnes on The Don Williams Show on WOND.

“The argument is whether we demolish the present jail and build next to it or we go into a regional facility,” Levinson said. “And it is my opinion, and only mine, I'm not speaking for June or anybody else, that a regional facility is the way to go.”

That differs from the position O'Donoghue laid out earlier this week on Off The Press with Scott Cronick on WOND.

“My opinion is I think it's a good idea if we try to keep it here,” O'Donoghue said.

The sheriff said one of his biggest concerns about moving Atlantic County inmates elsewhere would be transportation.

“Because the transportation from here to there is going to be extremely difficult,” O'Donoghue said.

Levinson: Stop Pouring Money Into Old Jail

The current jail opened in 1985 and was originally built for 398 inmates. The county says the facility subsequently underwent significant growth and currently houses hundreds of inmates.

Levinson argues that continuing to spend substantial amounts of money on the existing building makes little financial sense if it ultimately must be replaced.

He pointed specifically to the county's current project to replace detention locks at the facility. Atlantic County solicited bids this year for the lock-replacement project.

“We're going to continue to put money into this dump that we have over there,” Levinson said. “Example, millions of dollars are being put on new locks that have to be, and we can't even use them. You can't transfer them.”

Levinson said he believes sharing a new facility with other counties would spread both costs and liability.

“Having a regional facility, you share liability if things occur,” Levinson said. “Four communities are going to put their money into it.”

He added: “It gives the corrections officers a safe place to work.”

Levinson said the regional concept currently under discussion would locate a facility in Cumberland County and said Burlington and Camden counties are also involved.

South Jersey NewsBeat has not independently confirmed the final participation of all of the counties Levinson named or the terms of a proposed regional agreement. Any decision by Atlantic County would still require action by county officials.

Earlier Regional Plan Fell Apart

Regionalization isn't a new idea.

In his 2026 county budget message, Levinson said Atlantic County had been considering joining Camden and Cumberland counties in a regional jail that would have been built in Winslow Township. Camden County backed away from that plan after local opposition.

That left Atlantic County considering whether it might instead have to construct a new jail alongside the existing Mays Landing facility and then demolish the old building.

Now Levinson says the regional option deserves another look — this time with Cumberland County as the location.

“They've agreed we're not going to Winslow where we were going to go because the people were against that,” Levinson said Friday.

He said Cumberland County is receptive to housing the regional facility.

“Cumberland County has said, well, look, we want it. We'll take it,” Levinson said.

Byrnes: Show Me the Numbers

Byrnes agreed with Levinson on one fundamental point: Atlantic County needs a new jail.

“Yes, we do need a new jail,” Byrnes said. “I've been there. I had a tour with the commissioners. We need a new jail.”

But unlike Levinson, Byrnes isn't yet endorsing regionalization.

“I'm not going to make a decision until we get the recommendation out of the committee, the jail committee,” she said.

Byrnes said constructing a new facility on the existing property presents its own complications because the current jail would have to remain operational throughout construction.

“I believe, I've been told, we don't have the property out there to do what needs to be done to properly build something new and keep the existing one there running,” Byrnes said.

But for Byrnes, the deciding factor will include something county taxpayers haven't yet seen: the price.

“I want to know what the cost is,” she said. “My vote affects all of Atlantic County, and I'll wait until it comes out of committee and I see the numbers and I understand the entirety of it.”

“Hopefully we'll get that recommendation one way or the other soon,” Byrnes added.

O'Donoghue Worries About Transportation

O'Donoghue's concerns add another dimension to the debate.

As South Jersey NewsBeat reported Thursday, the sheriff believes moving the jail outside Atlantic County could create transportation complications involving inmates who must be moved between correctional facilities and court proceedings. Municipal police departments also transport people they arrest to the county jail.

O'Donoghue, who worked inside the county jail earlier in his law enforcement career, also spoke about the difficult conditions corrections officers face.

He described corrections work as among the most difficult jobs in law enforcement and said staffing shortages can leave officers stuck working additional shifts when replacements don't report.

Despite his concerns about moving the facility, the sheriff agrees the future of the aging jail needs to be addressed.

Levinson Says Mays Landing Deserves a Break

For Levinson, the issue isn't only dollars and logistics.

He argues that Mays Landing and Hamilton Township have carried the burden of hosting the county jail long enough.

“The people of Mays Landing have had it there since 1854,” Levinson said. “It's about time we give them a break.”

Levinson also believes the existing property could eventually have greater economic value if it were freed from use as a jail.

“That is precious property in Mays Landing,” Levinson said. “You could get a rental. You could get a taxable property if you rent it or lease it.”

He challenged officials who insist the jail remain in Atlantic County to identify a municipality willing to host it.

“I want one mayor and commissioners or council people to volunteer to put it in their community,” Levinson said.

A New Building Question, Not an Operations Failure

The debate over replacing the jail should not be confused with the quality of its current correctional health operations.

In July, the facility was reaccredited by the National Commission on Correctional Health Care following a two-day inspection. Atlantic County said the jail achieved 100% compliance with all essential and important standards applicable to the facility.

The issue facing county officials is instead whether it makes financial and operational sense to continue maintaining an aging building — and, if not, where its replacement should go.

Levinson's preference is now unmistakable.

“The way that I'm leaning right now is a regional facility,” he said. “Everybody splits the cost.”

“We are going to have to pay for it one way or the other.”

O'Donoghue wants the replacement kept in Atlantic County.

And Byrnes wants the jail committee's recommendation and the financial numbers before casting her vote.

That leaves Atlantic County with a decision that could determine not only where its inmates are housed, but how much taxpayers spend on corrections for decades to come.