The U.S. Justice Department filed a complaint Tuesday against New Jersey and its Department of Corrections, saying officials failed to protect prisoners at the state's only women's prison from being sexually abused by officers. As a result, the state and federal governments are preparing to enter into an agreement known as a consent decree to resolve long-standing issues at Edna Mahan Prison.
Last year, a federal investigation found officers coerced prisoners into sex, and groped them during strip searches. At least seven staffers in recent years have been convicted of raping inmates. This year, 10 corrections officers were charged with violently removing prisoners from their cells.
Under the proposed consent decree, which still must be formally approved by a judge, an independent monitor will oversee reforms. The state must also create methods for prisoners to confidentially report sexual abuse.