NJ Legislative Black and Latino Caucuses Condemn Alleged Abuse and Violations of Basic Human Rights  at Edna Mahan Correctional Facility – Join Colleagues in Administrative Leave of Commissioner Hicks and Ombudsman Di Benedetti

The New Jersey Legislative Black and Latino Caucuses condemn the allegations of the brutal assault
of 3 inmates that occurred at Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Women on January
11th as reported by the Star Ledger. We are outraged to learn that more than 30 individuals
may have participated in the events leading up to the assault and are horrified that such an attack
could have occurred in the first place. Our caucuses have consistently led conversations and
legislation regarding criminal justice reform and we remain committed to addressing the
conditions inmates faced while incarcerated. These allegations are only the latest in a
history of rampant abuse and sexual assault at Edna Mahan and demonstrate a consistent pattern of
failure of the Department of Corrections in protecting the basic well- being and safety of inmates.
We join our colleagues in calling for the administrative leave of DOC Commissioner Hicks and
Corrections Ombudsman Dan Di Benedetti, while an investigation is underway and urge
for sweeping reforms to take place within Edna Mahan and all correctional facilities in New
Jersey to ensure no inmate is subject to abuse and violations of their basic human rights.

Members of the NJ Legislative Black Caucus include: Senator Ronald L.
Rice, Assemblywoman Shavonda E. Sumter, Assemblyman Jamel Curtis Holley, Herbert Conaway, Jr.
MD, Assemblyman Gordon M. Johnson, Senator Sandra B. Cunningham, Senator Nia H. Gill Esq., Senator Troy Singleton, Senator Shirley K. Turner, Assemblywoman Linda S. Carter, Assemblywoman
Verlina Reynolds-Jackson, Assemblywoman Mila M. Jasey, Assemblyman Antwan McClellan,
Assemblywoman Angela V. McKnight, Assemblyman William W. Spearman, Assemblywoman
Shanique Speight, Assemblyman Adam Taliaferro, Assemblywoman Britnee
Timberlake, Assemblywoman Cleopatra G. Tucker, and Assemblyman Benjie E. Wimberly.

Members of the NJ Legislative Latino Caucus include: Senator Nellie Pou, Senator M. Teresa Ruiz,
Senator Nilsa Cruz-Perez, Assemblywoman Annette Chaparro, Assemblywoman Angelica
Jimenez, Assemblywoman Yvonne Lopez, Assemblyman Pedro Mejia, Assemblywoman
Gabriela Mosquera, Assemblywoman Eliana Pintor-Marin, and
Assemblywoman Annette Quijano.