Assembly Democrats Legislation to Address Systemic Concerns Raised by Incidents at the Edna Mahan Correctional Facility Clears Assembly

(TRENTON) – The full Assembly advanced five bills on Thursday to address concerns raised at the Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Women.

On April 7, the Assembly Judiciary and the Assembly Women and Children Committees held a joint hearing on the current culture and environment at Edna Mahan. The testimony received at the hearing confirmed the Justice Department’s report of systemic failure at the women’s prison, 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 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 bill package is 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 were voted on today: