“In trying to find the best fit for a regional justice complex we are respecting 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. We are paying deference to the integrity of the municipality and its local elected officials in their decision. Moving forward, we will work to find a new location where a majority of the local governing body agrees that this facility and additional development would be a benefit to their town. That said, we do believe in the concept of a new regional justice complex that focuses on the needs of the occupants, so regionally and as a community, we can cut down on recidivism and center our attention on rehabilitative practices that make our society safer.
In addition, this new regional justice complex will bring more than $1 billion in new construction; including a retail component, an office component for law firms and other professional service providers, attract hundreds of new employees strengthening the local economy, and provide a host community monetary benefit agreement. It will be an economic boon for any town or borough who has an interest in long term growth and economic expansion. Based on that, the board will do an analysis of new sites in the future that may be a better fit for local elected officials.”