Assembly Democrats Introduce Legislative Package to Address Systemic Concerns Raised by Incidents at the Edna Mahan Correctional Facility

First Six Measures will be heard by the Assembly Judiciary Committee on Tuesday

(TRENTON) – On April 7, the Assembly Judiciary and the Assembly Women and Children Committees held a joint hearing on the current culture and environment of New Jersey’s only women’s prison, the Edna Mahan Correctional Facility. The testimony received at the hearing confirmed the Justice Department’s report of systemic failure at Edna Mahan, including a pattern of neglect and abuse against the women at the facility.

            “The pattern of abuse, including rampant sexual abuse, and systemic failures at Edna Mahan call out for legislative action,” said Assemblyman Raj Mukherji (D-Hudson), chair of the Assembly Judiciary Committee. “When the women at Edna Mahan needed protection, their calls and complaints went unanswered. Some even watched their complaints discarded in the trash right in front of them. Cultural change and additional accountability and oversight are needed to safeguard the basic human rights of these inmates.

            “These six measures are the committee’s first steps toward address these depravities and will improve transparency and training for corrections officers, accountability, and access to reentry programs for inmates to curb recidivism.”

A 6-bill package was introduced Wednesday as the first of a two-part legislative package addressing the concerns at Edna Mahan. The Assembly Women and Children Committee will convene in June to review additional measures concerning Edna Mahan Correctional Facility.

          The following measures are included in the package: