Last prisoners leave Riverfront State Prison

At 8:30 a.m. yesterday, the last state prisoners left Camden's waterfront in a van.

The state Department of Corrections said that Riverfront State Prison, which has detained thousands of prisoners on a site just north of the Ben Franklin Bridge since 1985, is shuttered for good. Prisoners have been transfered to other facilities in the state during the last several months.

The property will be turned over to the state Department of Treasury, which will prepare the area for redevelopment.

Camden leaders want the area turned into residences and recreational areas. No date has been set for demolition of the buildings. - Matt Katz