The purpose of the Middlesex County Department of Corrections is to provide in a cost effective manner, the highest degree of protection for the citizens of Middlesex County and safety for both the staff and inmates as the institution serves as a place of incarceration for pre-trial detention and the serving of sentences. The philosophy of the Adult Correction Center is based upon the following underlying tenets:

• Society has a right to incarcerate people in order to protect our citizens and communities
• All inmates shall be held accountable for their actions
• Inmates shall leave the facility no worse physically, emotionally or psychologically than when they entered and as much as possible they shall be more prepared to lead responsible lives in the community.

A positive and productive atmosphere shall be created and maintained for both the staff and the inmates by the use of direct supervision management principles and through the provision of:

• A safe and secure environment
• Trained professional correctional personnel
• A variety of programs and services which provide inmates an opportunity to prepare themselves for either immediate or eventual return and successful re-integration into their communities
• A classification system which identifies special custody needs and results in appropriate security and services for the individual inmate
• Positive incentives for inmates through a classification system based on behavior
• Meaningful work and vocational programming which meets the inmates' needs and serves as a form of restitution by benefiting both the institution and the community

The staff and management of the Middlesex County Department of Corrections are committed to the preservation of the basic human rights and dignity of the inmate population as prescribed by the Constitution of the United States and by the Administrative Code of both the State of New Jersey and the County of Middlesex. Additionally, the most beneficial community impact will be fostered through abiding by progressive correctional standards such as those promulgated by the American Correctional Association.