Skanska Breaks Ground on $312M NJ Women’s Prison

Skanska has officially begun work on a $312 million, state-of-the-art women’s correctional facility in Chesterfield Township, New Jersey. The Oct. 15 groundbreaking marks a major step in the state’s plan to replace the aging and troubled Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Women (EMCF) — New Jersey’s only women’s prison — following years of scrutiny and documented abuse.

The project is located on a 33-acre site and will feature a multi-building layout designed around 420 beds. Skanska Integrated Solutions, the company’s program management and consulting division, will serve as owner’s project manager through planning, design, and construction.

The new campus will incorporate normative and trauma-informed design features, focusing on rehabilitation rather than traditional incarceration, with improved access to health care, counseling, education, and vocational programs.

Gov. Phil Murphy first ordered EMCF’s replacement in 2021 after a state investigation revealed widespread misconduct, stating at the time he believed “the only path forward is to responsibly close the facility.”

In Skanska’s latest announcement, Murphy reaffirmed the administration’s goals:

“This new, state-of-the-art facility reflects our dedication to providing a safe, secure, and healthier environment for our state’s incarcerated women as they work toward rebuilding their lives for the better,” said Murphy.

Design services for the new facility are being led by DRG Architects with HOK serving as subconsultant. The updated environment will emphasize natural light, open green spaces, therapeutic landscaping, and reduced physical barriers compared to outdated correctional models.

Skanska said the project will deliver a more progressive approach to incarceration while still ensuring public safety:

“We are proud to help deliver a modern, compassionate facility that prioritizes safety, dignity and rehabilitation while supporting the unique needs of women in the correctional system,” said Gary Thomson, program executive at Skanska Integrated Solutions.

Project Timeline & Scope

Phase 1 opening

‍2027 (per New Jersey Monitor)

Full completion

‍2028

Services planned

• On-site medical and mental health care
• Educational and workforce development programs
• Family visitation improvements
• Increased privacy and secure-yet-supportive living spaces

Skanska will oversee construction strategy, timeline coordination, and logistical operations throughout the multi-year delivery.

Why This Project Matters

• Replaces a 112-year-old facility tied to major abuse scandals
• Reflects a national shift toward humane correctional design
• Supports rehabilitative justice for incarcerated women

Originally reported by Zachary Phillips in Construction Dive.