Assemblywoman Angela McKnight (D-31) is applauding Gov. Phil Murphy’s (D) decision to close the Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Women following a report from former state Comptroller Matt Boxer detailing a series of abuses and mismanagement.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“ … The task now is to ensure these women are provided a safe transition to another facility. We must also ensure that what has happened in Edna Mahan does not happen in any of New Jersey’s correctional facilities,” McKnight said in a statement.
“There is still a need for reform in our prison system. Preserving a persons’ right to respect and dignity while incarcerated must always be at the forefront of every decision made in a facility.”
Murphy called for the closure of the facility today after Boxer’s report detailed instances of physical and sexual abuse, along with clear violations of Department of Corrections guidelines.
“Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Women has a long history of abusive incidents predating our Administration, and we must now commit ourselves to completely breaking this pattern of misconduct to better serve incarcerated women entrusted to the State’s care,” Murphy said in a statement.
“After reading the report and its recommendations, I have decided that the only path forward is to responsibly close the facility. I look forward to working with our partners in the Legislature to responsibly close down the Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Women and relocate inmates to a new facility or other facilities. While this will not happen overnight, I intend to work with legislative leadership during the current budget cycle to allocate funding to begin this multi-year process.”
The Edna Mahan facility, located in Clinton has seen 10 corrections officers charged by the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office for either assaulting inmates and/or for helping cover up the assaults.
Since the probe by the AG’s office is ongoing, the 75-page report detailing violent cell extractions from January 11th of this year contains redactions.
