A history was taken in Jamesburg in 1939 which gives an insight into life at the . The acreage had grown to 725 acres, with 500 acres dedicated to farmland, which had produced $52,000 worth of food and farm products.
This included 75 Holstein cows that resided on the farm. Over 7,000 fruit and vegetable preserves were canned for consumers and residents.
In this time period delinquent boys between the ages of 8 and 16 could be sent to the facility for offenses such as truancy, stealing or incorrigibility. It was well known many boys had lost one or more parents, or the parents were separated, and many had lived in poor economic conditions.
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New residents were received with a consistent routine. They entered the Reception Cottage for about one month and were examined by the psychologists, educational director, disciplinarian, dentist and doctor.
After these examinations, and after consultation with the Parole Officer and Superintendent, it would be determined what work the resident would be assigned, what cottage he would live in and what grade he would attend. All of which was decided within the resident's presence.
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The length of his stay was determined by Parole Board and officers who met once a month to discuss these issues also took into account the home condition from whence they came. The average stay was 15 and one-half months and residents stayed on parole until they were 21-years-old.
