Prison reform philosophies shaped the construction of this jail. This is the Old Essex County Jail. Newark’s government constructed a new prison here after the city’s incorporation in 1836. The Old Essex County Jail is Essex County’s oldest public building. It stands as a national landmark. This is due to its architectural and social history.
John Haviland designed and built the Old Essex County Jail in 1837. It sits at the corner of Newark and New Streets. Haviland was a notable prison architect. He designed the Eastern State Penitentiary. Haviland’s designs emphasized prisoner reform over brutal punishment.
The Morris Canal once ran adjacent to the Old Essex County Jail. It formed the back of the property line. Initially, it was known as the Newark Street Jail. This jail replaced an older structure. It was previously located at Broad and Walnut Streets. The Grace Episcopal Church now stands there.
Haviland’s design featured a two-story square building. It was built of brick and local brownstone. The style is Greek Revival. Behind this was a three-story sandstone structure. Tiers of cells ran down the center. This cell block served as a temporary holding facility. Inmates awaited trial and conviction here. After conviction, inmates moved to the state prison in Caldwell.
The Old Essex County Jail expanded with multiple additions. This increased the number of prison cells. The final number was upwards of 300. Inmate numbers were often closer to 500. This was due to severe overcrowding during events like the 1967 Newark Riots. The building was updated. It included running water and toilet facilities in each cell.
The Old Essex County Jail served as Essex County’s main jail until 1971. In 1991, scenes for the film Malcolm X were shot here. A fire devastated the Women’s Wing in 2003. The property is currently unsecured. It is open to trespassers and urban explorers.
Prison life was brutal in the 1830s. Young and old were confined together. Women, men and children were all in appalling conditions. Prison reformers believed this system made inmates worse. They wanted to reform them into better citizens. John Howard proposed a new system. It was based around silence, supervision and security. New prison designs featured natural light and space. The goal was to transform prisons into places of reform.
The architects of the Old Essex County Jail confined individuals. They ensured they were not tortured. They also ensured they were not deprived of their legal rights. Newark’s government furnished the jail with running water. It also had sanitation, electricity and heat. Few Newarkers outside the jail enjoyed these amenities at the time. Haviland’s jails had indoor plumbing before the White House.
The Old Essex County Jail grew alongside Newark. From the 1890s to the 1930s, new buildings were added. These included a hospital, powerhouse, laundry and space for prisoners to pass the time. Most individuals were arrested for petty crimes. These included drunkenness, prostitution and loitering. They served short sentences before rejoining the community. The warden and his family lived and worked alongside the prisoners. This changed in the late 20th century. A different paradigm emerged in the justice system. It stretched this jail beyond capacity.
Today, the Old Essex County Jail stands as a reminder of our past. It prompts us to reflect on prison reform. We must remember the dangers of repeating history. This old jail waits for Newark and the country. It waits until we are ready to confront legacies of oppression.