Camden County, NJ

Camden County Department of Corrections

new jersey

Urban | Population: 527,196

Camden County, New Jersey, is confronting a critical substance use disorder (SUD) crisis, intensified by economic challenges, high poverty rates, and barriers in access to services. The Camden County Correctional Facility (CCCF), which processes over 7,300 individuals annually, reports that nearly 30% of those incarcerated have a self-reported history of substance use, with 94% scoring for moderate to severe SUD. While CCCF provides medications for opioid use disorders, gaps remain in reentry services and continuity of care post-incarceration. The NuEntry Peer Led Program (NPLP) aims to address these challenges by expanding CCCF’s capacity to provide comprehensive pre- and post-release support for individuals with SUD. 

Key COSSUP Initiatives

Peer recovery support services

Embedded peers with lived experience in recovery and incarceration will provide peer recovery support services during reentry.

Offer transitional housing to at least 30 individuals experiencing homelessness and substance use disorders upon release.

integrated care coordination

Conduct bi-weekly care conferences to ensure collaboration between medical, mental health, and substance use professionals for holistic treatment planning.

family reunification services

Offer counseling sessions to support incarcerated individuals in maintaining connections with family members.

Anticipated Benefits of Project

• Increased public safety

  This project aims to increase public safety through seamlessly transitioning individuals from treatment in custody to community-based treatment.

• Improved reentry outcomes

  This project aims to improve the reentry process and therefore reduce recidivism by addressing barries to treatment, including housing, employment, and transportation.

• Increased treatment compliance

  With the support of peer recovery specialists, this project aims to increase treatment compliance and effectiveness.

Collaborative Partners

• Camden County Department of Corrections

• Camden Coalition

• Cooper University Health Care

• Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care

• Kommunity Kares, Inc.

Project Director

Sharon Bean, Jail Population Manager
Camden County Department of Corrections
sharon.bean@camdencounty.com
856-365-3271

This project was supported by Grant No. 15PBJA23GK02258COAP awarded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance. The Bureau of Justice Assistance is a component of the Department of Justice's Office of Justice Programs, which also includes the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the National Institute of Justice, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the Office for Victims of Crime, and the SMART Office. Points of view or opinions in this document are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.