Federal Court Terminates Consent Decree Regarding the Edna Mahan Correctional Facility After Successful Reforms

NEWARK, N.J. - Yesterday, the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey terminated the consent decree covering the Edna Mahan Correctional Facility (Edna Mahan), marking the end of federal court oversight under the 2021 decree. The Justice Department and the State of New Jersey jointly moved to terminate the consent decree based on Edna Mahan's successful implementation of reforms related to sexual abuse of prisoners by staff in the women's prison, U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer announced.

"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."

- U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer

"We are proud to recognize Edna Mahan's sustained progress and commitment to constitutional conditions that protect women from sexual abuse," said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division. "We credit the dedicated staff of Edna Mahan who continue to work every day toward preventing sexual abuse of women in its custody."

In 2020, the Justice Department completed an investigation into Edna Mahan under the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act. In 2021, the Department and the State of New Jersey entered into a consent decree to address the investigation's findings that New Jersey failed to keep women prisoners at Edna Mahan safe from sexual abuse by staff, in violation of the Eighth Amendment. After consistent progress over the last five years, Edna Mahan has fully complied with the agreement.

Resolution of the Edna Mahan case is another example of the Justice Department's success in partnering with law enforcement to implement reforms that serve Americans.

The United States is represented by Eileen Ulate, Trial Attorney, Civil Rights Division, Special Litigation Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Thandiwe Boylan.

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