The state’s attorney general announced Thursday that three guards at a women’s jail in New Jersey have been charged in connection with a violent attack on inmates.
On January 11, prison guards removed prisoners from their cells and allegedly attacked the Edna Mahan Correctional Facility in Clifton, Attorney General Gurbir Grewal said in a statement. More than 20 officers were placed on administrative leave as officials investigated allegations of violence, a union said.
“Edna Mahan has a long, ugly history – one that has rightly attracted investigations from provincial, state and federal investigators,” Grewal said Thursday. “We must hold the responsible parties accountable and rectify the systemic failures that made this incident possible.”
Luis Garcia, a correctional police officer, was charged with second-degree assault, official misconduct and submitting a false report. Garcia is accused of spraying a prisoner with pepper spray, removing her from her cell and hitting her 28 times in the face, which according to Grewal resulted in serious injuries.
Garcia is also accused of falsely reporting that the prisoner threw blows at his torso when he tried to restrain her. However, Grewal said video evidence revealed she did not strike any blows.
Two supervisors – sergeant Amir Bethea and sergeant Anthony Valvano – were both charged with official misconduct, as well as covering up the alleged assault. Bethea oversaw both the previous attack and a separate incident where officers allegedly punched a woman while removing her from her cell, despite complying with officers’ requests, according to Grewal. Bethea is also accused of not disclosing the prisoner’s injuries.
Valvano is accused of not intervening during the use of force, while he also did not report it, Grewal said. He also allegedly submitted a false report claiming that a victim injured herself by hitting her head in her cell, which she denies, Grewal said.
The investigation into the incident on January 11 continues. Officials said they expect to announce additional criminal charges as the investigation continues.
William Sullivan, president of the union representing prison officials, said the union did not condone any unprofessional conduct.
“While a review of the allegations made against the officers is disturbing, PBA # 105 supports a thorough investigation into the incidents in question before ruling on the allegations or the officers charged in connection therewith. , “Sullivan said in a statement.
Last year, a Justice Department report claimed that guards regularly sexually assaulted female inmates in the prison. From October 2016 to November 2019, five employees pleaded guilty to the sexual abuse of more than ten women, which prosecutors said was made possible by a culture that discouraged inmates from reporting abuse.