SR118

A Senate Resolution concerning Marcus Hicks, Commissioner of the Department of Corrections.

Whereas, The State’s only all-female correctional facility, Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Women (Edna Mahan) located in Clinton, Hunterdon County, has a long history of inmates being subjected to sexual assault and abuse at the hands of corrections officers and other staff members; and

Whereas, Several corrections officers at the prison have pleaded guilty or been convicted of sexual abuse and misconduct in recent years; and

Whereas, Edna Mahan has been under heightened scrutiny as the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) and the United States Attorney’s Office District of New Jersey (U.S. Attorney) found that corrections officers repeatedly sexually abused female inmates; and

Whereas, The report from the DOJ and the U.S. Attorney, released in April 2020, alleged that there is reasonable cause to believe that the Department of Corrections and officials at Edna Mahan violated inmates’ constitutional rights by failing to protect them; and

Whereas, In addition, the report called sexual abuse at the prison “severe and prevalent,” and said a “culture of acceptance” has persisted for many years; and

Whereas, The DOJ and U.S. Attorney investigation found there is reasonable cause to conclude that women prisoners at Edna Mahan are at substantial risk of sexual abuse by staff because systemic deficiencies discourage prisoners from reporting sexual abuse and allow sexual abuse to occur undetected and undeterred; and

Whereas, Recently, dozens of corrections officers have been placed on paid leave following allegations that on January 11, 2021 staff brutally beat and sexually assaulted inmates; and

Whereas, Inmates have reported to family members and advocates that at least three inmates were injured, including one inmate who was left with a broken eye socket and a transgender inmate who was beaten so badly that she cannot walk and is now in a wheelchair, according to news reports; and

Whereas, A criminal investigation regarding the allegations of violence is being conducted; and

Whereas, As shown by this recent incident, Marcus Hicks, Commissioner of the Department of Corrections, has continued to fail to protect female inmates at Edna Mahan; therefore, this House supports Assembly Resolution No. 220 adopting articles of impeachment concerning Commissioner Hicks; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey:

1. This House supports Assembly Resolution No. 220 adopting articles of impeachment concerning Marcus Hicks, Commissioner of the Department of Corrections, as there has been a failure by Commissioner Hicks to protect female inmates at Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Women.

2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to Marcus Hicks, Commissioner of the Department of Corrections, and every member of the General Assembly.

STATEMENT

This Senate resolution supports Assembly Resolution No. 220 adopting articles of impeachment concerning Marcus Hicks, Commissioner of the Department of Corrections.

The State’s only all-female correctional facility, Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Women (Edna Mahan) located in Clinton, Hunterdon County, has a long history of inmates being subjected to sexual assault and abuse at the hands of correctional police officers and other staff members. Several correctional police officers at the prison have pleaded guilty or been convicted of sexual abuse and misconduct in recent years.

Edna Mahan has been under heightened scrutiny as the United States Department of Justice and the United States Attorney’s Office District of New Jersey found that corrections officers repeatedly sexually abused female inmates. The report from the United States Department of Justice and the United States Attorney’s Office District of New Jersey, released in April 2020, alleged that there is reasonable cause to believe that the Department of Corrections and officials at Edna Mahan violated inmates’ constitutional rights by failing to protect them.

Recently, dozens of correctional police officers have been placed on paid leave following allegations that on January 11, 2021 staff brutally beat and sexually assaulted inmates. Inmates have reported to family members and advocates that at least three inmates were injured, including one inmate who was left with a broken eye socket and a transgender inmate who was beaten so badly that she cannot walk and is now in a wheelchair, according to news reports.

As shown by this recent incident, Marcus Hicks, Commissioner of the Department of Corrections, has continued to fail to protect female inmates at Edna Mahan; therefore, this House supports Assembly Resolution No. 220, sponsored by Assemblywomen Stanfield, Vainieri Huttle, and Munoz, adopting articles of impeachment concerning Commissioner Hicks.