New Jersey State Prison
Find messaging, video, and phone options for New Jersey State Prison. Compare providers and discover what communication services are available. Free, no account required.
- Facility Type
- State Facility
- Security Level
- Maximum
- Inmate Capacity
- 1,600 approx.
- Established
- 1798
- Operated By
- New Jersey Department of Corrections (NJDOC)
New Jersey State Prison Inmate Communication Overview
New Jersey State Prison is the highest-security state prison in New Jersey, operated by the New Jersey Department of Corrections and located in Trenton in Mercer County, the state capital. Originally established in 1798 as the New Jersey State Penitentiary, it is one of the oldest continuously operating prisons in the country. The facility has undergone significant renovation and reconstruction over the centuries and today serves as a maximum-security institution housing New Jersey's most serious long-term offenders and death row population. Trenton's location in central New Jersey puts it within reasonable distance of both Philadelphia and New York City.
Communication at New Jersey State Prison follows New Jersey DOC provider contracts. JPay is the platform for electronic messaging, photo sharing, and trust account money transfers. Families create a JPay account and add the inmate using their New Jersey SBI (State Bureau of Identification) number to begin correspondence. GTL manages phone calls and video visitation. Setting up a GTL AdvancePay account linked to your phone number allows you to receive inmate-initiated calls. Video visits through GTL are a practical option for families who cannot easily travel to Trenton.
Trenton's central location within New Jersey and its proximity to both major metropolitan areas makes it more geographically accessible than many state prisons in rural parts of the country. New York City is about 70 miles northeast, and Philadelphia is about 35 miles southwest. New Jersey Transit provides rail connections from both cities to Trenton, making in-person visits feasible for families in either metro area. For out-of-state families or those without transportation, JPay and GTL provide the primary means of regular contact.
Facility Information
Contact details and location information for this correctional facility.
Address
1 Trenton Way, Trenton, NJ 08611
Main Phone
(609) 292-9500
Administrative line — not for inmate calls
Official Website
Visit official siteCommunication Options
Available communication services at New Jersey State Prison.
Messaging
Electronic messages to and from the inmate.
Provider: JPay
Full JPay messaging available. Requires NJ SBI number.
Video Calls
Remote or in-person video visitation.
Provider: GTL
Remote video visits available. Schedule in advance through GTL.
Photo Sharing
Send approved digital or physical photos.
Provider: JPay
Digital photos via JPay. Subject to NJDOC content guidelines.
Phone Calls
Inmate-initiated phone calls to approved numbers.
Provider: GTL
Inmate-initiated calls via GTL. Fund AdvancePay account to receive calls.
Money Transfer
Send funds to commissary or phone accounts.
Provider: JPay
Trust account deposits via JPay for commissary and personal purchases.
Communication Providers at New Jersey State Prison
These providers operate communication services at this facility. Each may cover different services.
JPay
Electronic messaging, photo sharing, and trust account deposits. Uses NJ SBI number.
View JPay ServicesGTL
Phone calls and video visitation under the New Jersey DOC statewide contract.
View GTL ServicesCommunication Rules at New Jersey State Prison
- JPay requires the inmate's NJ SBI (State Bureau of Identification) number, not a name alone.
- JPay and GTL are separate platforms. Messaging stamps and phone funds are not interchangeable.
- Messages are reviewed by NJDOC staff before delivery.
- NJDOC system-wide accounts carry over if the inmate transfers to another New Jersey facility.
- Senders must be on the inmate's approved contact list.
Related Facilities
Other correctional facilities with communication guides.
Frequently Asked Questions: New Jersey State Prison
Common questions from families about communication at this facility.
- How do I message someone at New Jersey State Prison?
- Create a JPay account at jpay.com and add the inmate using their New Jersey SBI (State Bureau of Identification) number. Purchase stamps and send your message. NJDOC staff review messages before delivery, typically within 24 to 48 hours.
- What is an SBI number and where do I find it?
- The SBI (State Bureau of Identification) number is New Jersey's unique identifier for individuals in the state prison system. You can find it using the NJDOC inmate search at nj.gov/corrections. You will need this number to set up JPay messaging.
- How do I set up phone calls from New Jersey State Prison?
- Phone calls use GTL. Create an account at telmate.com or the GTL Connect app. Set up a prepaid AdvancePay account linked to your phone number and add funds. The inmate calls you from facility phones.
- How far is New Jersey State Prison from New York City and Philadelphia?
- NJSP is in Trenton, about 70 miles southwest of New York City and 35 miles northeast of Philadelphia. New Jersey Transit rail service connects Trenton to both cities. For families in either metro area, in-person visits are a realistic option.
- How do I send money to a New Jersey State Prison inmate?
- Trust account deposits are made through JPay. Log in, go to Send Money, and select New Jersey State Prison. Add funds via debit or credit card. Processing takes one to two business days.
- How do I find or search for an inmate at New Jersey State Prison?
- Use the Sheriff's office or department of corrections official inmate search or roster for Mercer County, New Jersey. If the inmate does not appear, allow 24 to 72 hours after booking and try alternate spellings.
- How do I send mail to an inmate at New Jersey State Prison?
- Include the inmate's full name and ID on every envelope and follow the facility's mail rules. Confirm the current mailing address on the facility's official page before sending.
- Can I receive incoming calls from an inmate at New Jersey State Prison?
- No. Inmates can only call out, so you cannot call an inmate directly. The inmate must call you, and your number must be on their approved list.
- How do I block or stop calls from an inmate at New Jersey State Prison?
- Contact the facility's phone provider and ask to block the number, or block the number through your own phone carrier. You can also ask the facility to remove your number from the inmate's approved list.
- How do I schedule or cancel a video visit at New Jersey State Prison?
- Schedule video visits through the facility's video visit provider or visitation system. Cancel the same way, as early as possible, and check the facility's visitation page for its cancellation rules.
Troubleshooting at New Jersey State Prison
Fix the most common problems families hit with calls, video visits, money, and messaging.
- Why am I not receiving calls from an inmate?
- Inmates can only call out, so you cannot call an inmate directly. If expected calls are not coming through, check your phone's spam or silence-unknown-callers setting, since carriers often block jail numbers. Save the facility's number as a contact, confirm your number is on the inmate's approved list, and check whether your carrier blocks collect or prepaid calls. If several expected calls fail, contact the facility's phone provider support.
- Why is my inmate not showing up in search?
- New arrivals can take 24 to 72 hours to appear in search results, and people in transfer may temporarily disappear from listings. Try alternate spellings and name variations, and make sure you are searching the right system: the federal BOP locator only covers federal inmates, while county and state searches are separate. Some records are withheld for protective custody or sealed cases. If it has been more than a few days, call the facility's records office.
- I sent money but it is not showing in the inmate's account. What should I do?
- Allow processing time first. Electronic deposits can take hours and money orders can take much longer. Check your receipt and confirm the inmate's name and ID matched. Do not send a second payment until the first one is traced, since duplicate payments are hard to reverse. Contact the money-transfer provider's support with your receipt or confirmation number. If the inmate was recently transferred, funds may follow after a delay.
- Why was my video visit cancelled or cut off?
- Most cancellations come from connection problems or conduct-rule violations. Stay in frame, keep your ID ready, follow the dress code, keep other people off camera, and avoid profanity. Visits can also be cancelled for facility lockdowns or schedule changes. For refunds, contact the video provider's support with your visit details.
- What should I do if the facility changed its communications provider?
- Create an account with the new provider, since old accounts and balances do not transfer automatically. Ask the old provider whether refunds are available for unused balances. Confirm the new provider's phone, video, and messaging setup before your next visit or call.
- Why is my JPay account blocked?
- A blocked account usually means the inmate blocked contact, the account details do not match, or JPay flagged the account for review. Confirm the inmate's ID and facility, check for an 'inmate blocked' message, and contact JPay support if the block looks like an error. See our guide: JPay account locked
Stay Connected with New Jersey State Prison
Compare all available providers, search for other New Jersey facilities, and find the right communication options for your family. Free, with no account required.