South Woods State Prison

South Woods State Prison is a mixed-custody New Jersey state prison that is located in Bridgeton. Sitting on 85 acres, it is the state’s newest prison – built in 1997 – and the facility with the largest inmate population. Currently, this facility houses approximately 3.400 inmates.

The prison complex consists of three medium custody housing facilities and a minimum custody housing unit. There is a medical facility called the Extended Care Unit that houses infirmary cases, and a Palliative Care Unit for inmates on specific types of watches for mental health concerns and inmates with chronic diseases or handicaps that preclude housing in the general population. 

An additional unit contains detention beds. Each housing facility has its own administrative and support services that include medical and mental health staffing, academic and vocational education, social services, and religious resources.

Prison Insights

Visiting Hours and Rules

Visiting and registration times for South Woods State Prison are:

FACILITIES: 1(H1, H2), 2(H3, H4), 3(H5, H6) and ECU

                                                                                    REGISTRATION                                 VISITS 

Saturday/Sunday                                                     8:00 - 9:30 AM                                   8:30 - 10:30 AM 

                                                                                    11:30 AM - 1:00 PM                         12:30 - 3:30 PM

MINIMUM UNIT: (M1, M2)

                                                                                   REGISTRATION                                  VISITS 

Saturday/Sunday                                                    8:00 - 9:00 AM                                    8:30 - 10:30 AM 

                                                                                  12:00 - 1:00 PM                                   12:30 - 3:30 PM

For a complete detailed visiting schedule, click here.

Visitors must present photo identification. Acceptable forms of photo identification include: a current photo driver's license, a current photo Welfare/Medicaid card, an employment photo ID, a current passport, a photo identification card issued by a municipal, county, State or Federal office (such as, but not limited to, a non-driver photo ID issued by a State motor vehicle agency). Social Security cards are NOT permitted to be used as a means of identification.

Space permitting, the maximum number of permissible visitors for an offender at South Woods State Prison is four adults and unlimited children (accompanied by an immediate family member or legal guardian.) 

Dress Code

Proper attire is regarded as a condition of admission to the visiting room at South Woods State Prison.

The following items are not authorized to enter the visiting areas: 

• Cell phones, beepers, or other electronic devices. 
• Credit cards, bank access cards, etc. 
• Condoms, cosmetics, candy, and cigarettes. 
• Drugs (prescribed or otherwise). 
• Keys (with the exceptions of locker keys and/or one vehicle key – no remotes or alarms). Money (cash or coin). 
• Photographs. 
• Purses, handbags and wallets (Clear plastic clutch bags or clear zip-lock sandwich bags may be utilized for authorized items). 
• Sunglasses (non-prescription). 
• Transportation passes. 
• Weapons or sharp objects. 
• Any item deemed to be a threat to the orderly running of the institution.

The following guidelines must be followed, regardless of gender: 

• No transparent or fishnet clothing. 
• No clothing that exposes undergarments or a portion of the body considered private. 
• No skin-tight clothing. Tops must cover shoulders and midriff areas. 
• No tube tops, tank tops, halter tops, low-cut shirts, or shirts that expose shoulder, midriff area, torso or back. Bottoms must at least cover the waist to mid-thigh. 
• No shorts, skirts, or dresses ending above midthigh, or which have an inseam length or slit ending more than three inches above the knee. 
• No low-rise shorts, skirts, or pants that expose the midriff or any portion of the buttocks.
• No otherwise clearly inappropriate attire, as determined solely by New Jersey Department of Corrections staff on duty. This includes, but is not limited to:  Military-style clothing worn by persons not in active or reserve military status, clothing closely resembling that issued to inmates, custody staff or law enforcement, or professional-styled uniforms
• Clothing depicting a message, either in wording or art, that could impact upon the safety, security or orderly operation of the correctional facility, including, but not limited to, that which is offensive, racist, sexually oriented, or advocates illegal or narcotic activities 
• No hat or headgear, unless it is religiously oriented or medically necessary, and the visitor agrees to a search of same 
• No shoes or sneakers with wheels (i.e.: Heelys) 
• No flip-flops 
• No steel-toed boots

How to Call an Inmate

How to Send Money

Programs For Inmates

Inmates at South Woods State Prison who do not have a high school diploma or GED are required to take education courses or vocational classes. Religious programs, recreation programming, and hobby/craft programs are also available. The core elective programs at the facility include:

• Cage Your Rage (CYR)

A best practice program designed to help offenders recognize their angry feelings, learn their cause, and deal with them in a responsible way. Participants attend CYR once a week for ninety minutes per group session for ten weeks.

• Thinking for a Change (T4C)

T4C is a cognitive behavioral program, endorsed by the National Institute of Corrections as a best practice approach for reducing recidivism. T4C is the cognitive behavioral change program adopted by the department for cognitive behavioral change. Participants attend T4C twice a week for 90 minutes per session for ten weeks.

• Successful Transition and Reentry Series (STARS)

STARS is a 12-week release preparatory program designed to address each major re-entry barrier faced by the returning offender. Chapters include employment, housing, transportation, education, family reunification, finances, and others. 

• Successful Employment through Lawful Living and Conflict Management (SEALL)

SEALL is a continuation of the STARS program with a specific focus on maintaining employment. Participants learn how to maintain prosocial behavior at work when conflict occurs on the job. Participants attend SEALL once a week for 90 minutes per session for six weeks.

• Helping Offenders Parent Effectively (HOPE)

Offenders who learn to be better fathers can help reduce these risks and have positive effects on their children's lives. Research shows that inmates who learn to become better fathers are less likely to return to prison, and that their children adjust better when they are reunited. Participants attend HOPE once a week for 90 minutes per session for ten weeks.

• Family Reunification and Transition (FRAT)

FRAT empowers the offenders with skills to help them develop a plan for rebuilding family relationships that may have been damaged as a result of their incarceration and aids in helping them to understand the expectations set by their family members when they return home.

Pictures of South Woods State Prison

Careers at South Woods State Prison

If you are interested in a career with the New Jersey Department of Corrections and would like to work at the South Woods State Prison, you can find out more information by clicking here.