Exploring an abandoned jail is the dream of many explorers here. Maybe because in Europe we do not have so many derelict prisons?
The Old Essex County Jail Complex was built in 1837 in Newark, New Jersey.
Also known as Newark Street Jail, it has a capacity of 300 cells, each one of them equipped with running water and toilet facilities.
In 1970, a new jail is built, and the "Old jail on new street" is then abandoned.
Although it is the oldest building in the county and is listed on the national register of historic places since 1991, nothing is done to protect and save it from dereliction.
Squatters, dealers and drug-addicts are now living here.
Here, as in many other places, the policy is "demolition by neglect", or in other words, waiting for the remaining structures to burn or collapse so that the site can be redeveloped in something more 'valuable'...
stay out of this place. not even suited for urban explorers.. it's dangerous. people disappear here and the local PD won't care. It's not a place you should go.
I was told the old cobblestone wall which used to have iron points on top dated back to colonial times. Is that true? I was an LEO in Newark.
Was a great place to Work Some Great Brave Men and Women worked there Many Fond memories Warden Troy Sgts DiPetta-CAREY PRINGLE C/O ROUDESZ CANNON BARCLIFFE TORSIELLO &LANGSTON-WEBSTER DAMON FREUDMAN TROISI-CASTELLANO FRAZZANO GUIDA GRUPUSO MIELE
The window of my office faces the old Essex County Prison. I watched part of the complex be demolished and replaced by modern buildings and a parking lot. The interiors of those small cells were covered in black and white tile and each had a toilet and sink. I was here to see the original building before it was overgrown by trees and weeds. I remember the wild dogs running all over the place here. They lived in the collapsing structure. This part of Newark is experiencing a rebirth. It seems that the prison has no place in the new neighborhood. The remnants of it are eroding under nature's urges to reclaim the space. It was once mighty, and now it is only a crumbling piece of old history.
A place that housed some of the most violent dangerous Criminals in the state and to The Brave Men and women who worked there most notably Sgt Gerald Carey, Sgt Edward Pringle, Sgt Peter DiPetta and C/O Ronald Roudesz and C/O Lester Hoadley and C/O Thomas Guida these valiant men saved the lives of a great many Officers , Superiors and Inmates They brought great honor to the Uniform!
Thanks for having the courage to enter into this facility and expose yourself to the elements. The pics are exceptional and impressive. I hope that it will bring attention to a site that should be preserved and restored.
Once again thanks for your creativity and courage.
Robbie
I like the pictures. Just a few corrections on your history. It was not totally abandoned in 1970, it was used afterwords for a short time by the Essex County Narcotics Bureau. Also, the building was not built with 300 cells, most were added on over the years. Finally, it is not the oldest building in the county, it is the oldest public building in the county.
Here is a more recent look at the place... as of last week..http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10102942210697991.3751272.2013580&type=1&l=8cc256a9cd
Thanks for the post. I love looking at abandoned places. The dead dog was nasty. Otherwise, top notch post.
Newark isn't the safest place in the world, do not go here at night.
i love how in picture 15, the only spots on the bars that are wearing away, are at hand level, where obviously the prisoners were grabbing onto...
i love this web site
These pictures are 100% awsome! they really give me the chills.
Hello! As a HS Junior, my son and parter in GSPR ( see website addy above ) is doing a survey of US Penal System policies and practices as exhibited in the architecture of the prisons built during that period. He will be using Eastern State Penn. in Philly ( Prison Ruin fans should RUN to see this, as it is preserved and open as a living ruin), Burlington Cnty Prison in Mt. Holly, NJ, also a museum, and we went to check out Essex Cnty. prison today to see what state it is in and if we could find out any info on it's future, possible access, etc.
The Main building above still stands. Immediately out of the frame to the right there is a large hole in the chain link fence and it is obvious that shelters are built within the wall, but we didn't venture in, although curiously there are no postings for no trespassing, etc. Probably would invite trouble to bring attention to the site. As it is the site looks quite a bit different, as there is extensive overgrowth, and the building to the left of the one on the picture has the roof burned out. There is a huge construction project just to the east on the adjecent lots on New St. where there's a huge apt/condo complex, parking garage, etc. going up. It is great for the neighborhood, but I wish they would preserve this site instead of waiting for the first tradegy and using that as the excuse to fund the demolition.
I do have a GREAT link to share: There's an urban explorer who put an entire set of interior shots on flickr: flickr.com
Thanks! for that.
John B Garden State Paranormal Research. (GSPR)
I was wondering if the jail is as of now, still standing? Also, to anyone who might know, how is Newark as a whole doing nowadays? Has today's economy impacted it for the worse? Thanks.
i'm pretty sure i've driven by that, might have to cheeck it out when i'm back in PA. how do deal with the "Squatters, dealers and drug-addicts" that live there? or do they tend to be gone during the day, or just ocasionaly?
Nice man, looks very creepy and dangerous. Thanks for posting this
Saw this in person the outside is just as described!
Just fanstastic. I'm curious, do you ever venture out alone during these international explorations? I tend to be pretty comfortable exploring local, condemned buildings on my own. But I have to say, there's no chance of me ever solitarily going into any abandoned buildings in a town that I'm not intimately familiar with. I'm way too chicken for that. Also, do you ever collect souvenirs from these places? I find the dated papers quite interesting. Or do you leave them beind for future explorers?
Thanks Michelle :-) When I go international, I don't go alone, I'm always shown around. And I pay back when I receive guests! About taking stuff home, I tend to avoid it!
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