DOJ Probe Found Sexual Abuse at New Jersey Women’s Prison
The DOJ has announced a consent decree calling for reforms at the New Jersey women’s prison after finding the facility failed to protect prisoners from sexual abuse by its staff.
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A U.S. Justice Department investigation found that prisoners were subjected to sexual abuse at a women’s prison at the Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Women in Clinton, New Jersey and department lawyers have announced a consent decree that calls for reforms there, reports Reuters. Kristen Clarke, head of the Justice Department’s civil rights division, said the investigation found that the prison failed to protect prisoners from sexual abuse by facility staff.
New Jersey has agreed to change its training and policies and allow an independent monitor to oversee reforms at the women’s prison. Earlier policies at the facility deterred prisoners from reporting sexual abuse by staff due to the threat of retaliation, the Justice Department said in a court filing. The consent decree must be approved by a federal judge.
