Three guards at a New Jersey women’s prison were charged with connection to a violent attack on inmates last month, the state attorney general announced on Thursday.
On January 11, prison officials removed prisoners from their cells and reportedly attacked them at the Edna Mahan Correctional Center in Clifton, Attorney General Gurbir Grewal said in a statement. More than 20 police officers were placed on administrative leave while authorities investigated allegations of violence, a union representative said.
“Edna Mahan has a long and ugly history – one that justifiably attracted the scrutiny of city, state and federal investigators,” said Grewal on Thursday. “We must hold responsible parties accountable and we must fix the systemic flaws that made this incident possible.”
Luis Garcia, a correctional officer, was charged with second-degree assault, official misconduct and submission of a false report. Garcia is accused of spreading pepper spray in a prison inmate, removing it from his cell and punching it 28 times in the face, which resulted in serious injuries, according to Grewal.
Garcia is also accused of falsely reporting that the inmate punched his torso when he tried to contain her. However, Grewal said the video evidence revealed that she did not punch.
Two supervisors – Sargeant Amir Bethea and Sargeant Anthony Valvano – were both accused of official misconduct, in addition to covering up the alleged assault. Bethea oversaw the previous attack and a separate incident where police officers allegedly punched a woman while removing her from her cell, despite complying with police requests, according to Grewal. Bethea is also accused of failing to report the inmate’s injuries.
Valvano is accused of not intervening during the use of force, but also of failing to report him, said Grewal. He also reportedly made a false report saying a victim was injured by hitting his head on the cell, which she denies, said Grewal.
The investigation into the January 11 incident is ongoing. Authorities said they hope to announce additional criminal charges while the investigation continues.
William Sullivan, president of the union that represents leaders in prison, said the union did not “tolerate any unprofessional conduct”.
“While a review of the allegations made against the officers is disturbing, PBA # 105 fully supports a full investigation being conducted on the incidents in question before any judgment is made in relation to the allegations or the accused officers in relation to them” , said Sullivan in a statement.
Last year, a Justice Department report claimed that guards used to sexually assault women prisoners in prison. From October 2016 to November 2019, five employees pleaded guilty to sexual abuse of more than 10 women, which prosecutors said was allowed through a culture that discouraged inmates from reporting abuse.