The U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey terminated the consent decree covering the Edna Mahan Correctional Facility on June 4, ending federal court oversight under the 2021 agreement. The Justice Department and the State of New Jersey jointly moved to terminate the decree following successful reforms addressing sexual abuse of prisoners by staff at the women’s prison, according to U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer.
“We join our Justice Department colleagues in the Civil Rights Division in applauding the collaborative efforts with Edna Mahan that have resulted in this termination. Edna Mahan’s reforms have been consistent and transformational in addressing sexual abuse,” said Frazer.
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division said, “We are proud to recognize Edna Mahan’s sustained progress and commitment to constitutional conditions that protect women from sexual abuse. We credit the dedicated staff of Edna Mahan who continue to work every day toward preventing sexual abuse of women in its custody.”
The Justice Department completed an investigation into Edna Mahan under the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act in 2020. In 2021, a consent decree was entered between federal authorities and New Jersey after findings showed failures to protect women prisoners from staff sexual abuse, violating Eighth Amendment rights. After five years of progress, officials said that Edna Mahan has fully complied with all terms outlined in that agreement.
Resolution of this case is described as another example of partnership between law enforcement agencies and federal authorities to implement institutional reforms serving Americans.
The United States was represented by Eileen Ulate, Trial Attorney for the Civil Rights Division Special Litigation Section, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Thandiwe Boylan. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey prosecutes federal crimes, represents civil matters across New Jersey, staffs about 170 attorneys and support personnel statewide with offices in Newark, Trenton and Camden, advances community safety through coordination programs, counts among its alumni federal judges and senators, and is part of the U.S. Department of Justice, according to its official website.