Speaker Coughlin Announces Date for Joint Assembly Committee Hearing to Investigate Allegations of Abuse at Edna Mahan 

          (TRENTON) – Assembly Speaker Craig J. Coughlin (D-Middlesex) announced Friday the Assembly Judiciary Committee and the Assembly Women and Children Committee will convene jointly on Thursday, April 8, 2021 to investigate continued allegations of widespread abuse at the Edna Mahan Correctional Facility:

            “I am extremely disturbed about the continued allegations of abuse at Edna Mahan. A pattern appears to have developed at the facility, which raises the question of whether those supervising the prison are not doing nearly enough to protect its vulnerable inmates.

            “We need answers and we need reform. To that end, the Assembly Judiciary Committee the Assembly Women and Children Committee under the chairs Assemblyman Raj Mukherji and Assemblywoman Gabriela Mosquera respectively, will conduct the hearing regarding compliance with legislation such as the Dignity Act which arose from previous hearings regarding the facility. The committee will also investigate the current culture at Edna Mahan.

          “I am pleased that Department of Corrections Commissioner Marcus Hicks has agreed to appear before the committees and provide testimony and answer members’ questions.

“A comprehensive, thorough investigation is required and any corrective action deemed necessary must be taken.”