By: Richard L. Smith
Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr. marked the opening of a new employee fitness center at the Essex County Correctional Facility on Friday, January 30, alongside the rollout of a broader wellness initiative designed specifically for correctional staff.
The program is intended to address the physical, emotional, and mental demands faced by correctional officers working in high-stress environments.
County officials said the initiative was developed in response to concerns raised by staff regarding fatigue, stress, and overall well-being, with the goal of improving health outcomes and supporting long-term workforce stability.
The newly opened gym includes a range of fitness equipment such as free weights, treadmills, stationary bicycles, stretching mats, resistance bands, and other exercise tools.
The space was funded through a county infrastructure grant provided by the New Jersey Department of Health.
As part of the expanded program, Essex County has strengthened its partnership with RWJBarnabas Health to provide healthcare professionals who will lead wellness programming at the facility.
Planned offerings include classes and educational sessions focused on stress management, physical fitness, healthy eating, meal planning, and emotional wellness.
County officials indicated that participation data, including attendance levels and frequency of use, will be tracked to help measure the effectiveness and long-term impact of the program.
The initiative is also viewed as a step toward improving employee morale and retention within the county’s correctional workforce.
The wellness program represents a broader effort by Essex County to invest in employee health resources and acknowledge the unique challenges faced by corrections professionals.