Camden County Drops Plan to Move Jail to Winslow, Seeks New Sites

Officials say they will work with other communities in South Jersey to find a suitable location for a new regional justice complex.

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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Camden County has abandoned its plan to move the regional jail to Winslow Township after facing strong opposition from local residents and government leaders. The county now says it will seek other communities in South Jersey that may be interested in hosting the new regional justice complex, which is expected to bring over $1 billion in new construction.

Why it matters

The decision to move the county jail out of Camden has been a long-standing issue, as the current facility is aging and overcrowded. Finding a suitable location for a new regional jail has proven challenging, with local communities often opposing such facilities. This latest development highlights the difficulties counties face in upgrading aging correctional infrastructure while addressing community concerns.

The details

Camden County had planned to partner with Cumberland County and possibly others to build a new regional jail on state property occupied in part by the Ancora Psychiatric Hospital in Winslow Township. However, Winslow residents and government leaders strongly objected to the proposal, leading the county to abandon those plans. County officials say they will now seek other communities in South Jersey that may be interested in hosting the new regional justice complex, which they say will bring over $1 billion in new construction.

  • On Monday, Camden County announced it would drop plans to move the regional jail to Winslow Township.
  • In December 2025, Camden County made a presentation on the regional jail plan to the Atlantic County Board of County Commissioners.

The players

Louis Cappelli Jr.

Camden County Commissioner Director.

Jonathan Young

Camden County Commissioner.

Maria Lawrence

Mayor of Winslow Township.

Ross Angilella

Camden County Administrator.

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What they’re saying

“We are respecting (Winslow) Mayor Maria Lawrence and the local elected body's formal request that it not go at the state facility located in the southern end of Winslow Township.”

— Louis Cappelli Jr. and Jonathan Young, Camden County Commissioner Director and Commissioner (tapinto.net)

“Because of the nature of the facility, it brings grave concerns from myself, colleagues, constituents and the overall community at large.”

— Maria Lawrence, Mayor of Winslow Township (tapinto.net)

What’s next

Camden County officials say they will do an analysis of new sites in the future that may be a better fit for a regional justice complex.

The takeaway

This decision highlights the challenges counties face in finding suitable locations for new correctional facilities, as local communities often resist such proposals. Camden County's willingness to explore alternative sites suggests a more collaborative approach to addressing the need for upgraded jail infrastructure while addressing community concerns.