NJ’s Only Women’s Prison Completes First Phase of Closure

After 110 years, it's the beginning of the end for New Jersey's only women's Correctional Facility.  New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has announced the first phase of the closure of the Edna Mahan Correctional Facility is complete.

Through the years, the facility has been ground zero for a number of scandals, including alleged sexually violent acts by prison staff against their wards.

The problems came to a head last year after a violent overnight confrontation that resulted in the suspension of 34 members of the staff, a number of whom were later charged with crimes.

Also last year, it was alleged that two female inmates became pregnant after consensual sex with transgender inmates.

In making the announcement, Governor Phil Murphy said,

For two years, our Administration has worked in tandem with our partners in the Legislature and external stakeholders to determine the best way to safely and responsibly close the Edna Mahan Correctional Facility. The completion of the first phase in this plan moves us closer to the full closure of the facility.  The safety and well-being of our incarcerated population is of the utmost importance. As they continue to do the necessary work to rehabilitate their lives, our Administration will continue to work to provide them a safe and secure environment to do so.

The initial closure involves the relocation of minimum security prisoners to a nearby satellite unit.  Prisoners in medium and maximum security units will remain at the original site as authorities work on plans for a new women's prison.

The state has hired consultants to help formulate a comprehensive plan for a new facility.