HACKENSACK—Officials from Bergen and Passaic counties have reached terms on a new agreement where the Bergen County Jail will soon assume the care and custody of all Passaic County inmates.
According to a Dec. 15 press release from the office of Peter Botsolas, senior advisor to Bergen County Executive James J. Tedesco III, “The deal builds upon a temporary measure adopted by both administrations this past November that allowed Passaic to transfer 200 inmates to the Bergen County Jail to alleviate additional strains brought on by COVID-19.”
Online, Bergen County notes its jail serves as a central reception and processing center for pre-trial male and female adult inmates whose incarceration is necessary to ensure a court appearance.
It adds that since 2001, the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office has also held a standing contract with the U.S. Marshals Service to provide detention beds for federal detainees. “With more than 280 correction officers and 1,150 beds, this around-the-clock operation is one of the state’s finest correctional facilities.”
The counties’ release says the deal is mutually beneficial for both counties and reflects a growing trend toward regionalization in corrections due to new public policies including bail reform.
“Passaic County will avoid spending hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars on a new jail facility. By consolidating corrections operations with Bergen County, Passaic gets access to a modern facility, while allowing Bergen County to better utilize the jail, which has operated at less than half capacity as of recently. This deal is good for the taxpayers of both counties by bringing additional revenue to Bergen and significant savings to Passaic over the 10-year term of the agreement,” the statement reads.
It adds the County of Bergen anticipates receiving $18.9 million “at minimum” in the first year and expects to gross at least $195,457,500 over the course of the agreement. Passaic County is expected to save funds on liability and capital expenditures and reallocate law enforcement resources to better serve all its communities. It reportedly is the fourth shared services agreement between Bergen and Passaic counties.
Under the new terms, the County of Bergen will receive $104 per day for each inmate housed at the Bergen County Jail for the first two years. The rate is set to increase over the course of the 10-year contract, running through the end of 2031.
Passaic County is authorized to transfer a maximum of 700 inmates to the Bergen County Jail and guarantees a minimum payment supporting the housing of 500 inmates at all times, even if the actual number of inmates dips below that agreed amount.
In the release, Tedesco explains how the shared service agreement reflects his overall governing philosophy, “As County Executive, throughout my time in office, the aggressive pursuit of innovative opportunities to share services, reduce duplication, and save money has been a chief priority. This new fiscally prudent agreement once again accomplishes that goal, further expanding our strong partnership with Passaic County and benefiting taxpayers in both regions.”
The agreement was approved by the Passaic County Commissioner Board on Tuesday, Dec. 14 and was scheduled to appear before the Bergen County Commissioner Board for ratification on Dec. 15.
Separately, the County of Bergen will also enter into an additional shared services agreement with the County of Hudson to assume responsibility of the female inmate population for Bergen and Passaic County. This will allow the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office to utilize the Bergen County Jail to its maximum potential.
Bergen County Sheriff Anthony Cureton says in the release, “I welcome this new agreement with the County of Passaic, which will soon allow us to maximize the footprint of the Bergen County Jail. Benefiting both the taxpayers of Bergen and Passaic Counties, this shared service agreement provides adequate housing and court access in proximity to Passaic County, while maintaining care and custody in Bergen County’s accredited corrections facility.”
Bergen County Commissioner Chair Steve Tanelli put in, “This agreement is a win-win for Bergen, Passaic and Hudson Counties. It shows that when we work together taxpayers will recognize real savings, and a more efficient and effective government. This administration will continue to work to look for shared service opportunities.”
According to Passaic County Commissioner Theodore “TJ” Best, “This shared services agreement makes sense for our taxpayers, corrections employees, inmates and the communities served by Sheriff Berdnik.”
He says, “This is another example of my colleagues’ commitment to long-term planning and creating efficiencies within county government.”
Protesters in 2020 spoke out against the presence of ICE detainees inside Bergen County Jail, who were on a hunger strike to over deficiencies in living conditions and medical care.