RICE STATEMENT ON BEATINGS AT EDNA MAHAN CORRECTIONAL FACILITY

 

TRENTON –  Senator Ronald L. Rice, Chair of the New Jersey Legislative Black Caucus, today released the following statement regarding the brutality toward inmates at the Edna Mahan Correctional Facility:

 

I am enraged and sickened by the latest reports from Edna Mahan Correctional Facility where inmates endured cruel and unusual punishment at the hands of depraved correctional officers.

 

Our criminal justice system is only as good as the integrity and ethics of its enforcement, judicial and correctional personnel.  Because criminal justice professionals wield such enormous power over the lives of those they serve, all of us – from legislators to cops, attorneys to judges, and prison wardens to corrections and probation officers – must adhere to the highest moral code, with the wisdom and compassion necessary to nurture, uphold and protect justice in our society.

 

The NJLBC is committed to social justice and criminal justice reform to liberate and empower not only Blacks and people of color, but all people who are disadvantaged and disenfranchised.  When we debate policies and programs, we shout the loudest to help those without a voice.

 

Our caucus stands in solidarity to protect all New Jerseyans, even the most marginalized among us.  Whether someone is on the right side of the law or not; imprisoned or not – every one of us has the inalienable right to live without the threat or devastation of beatings and torture.  United, we proclaim in no uncertain terms:  No act is more despicable than inhumanity hiding behind a badge or brutality inflicted in the name of justice.

 

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The New Jersey Legislative Black Caucus advocates on behalf of African-American, other ethnic minority citizens and women in the State of New Jersey to protect their civil and human rights; and to ensure equal opportunities and just and fair treatment for minorities and women in general.