The New Jersey Department of Corrections Commissioner Marcus Hicks announced his resignation today after the recent release of an investigative report into the January 11th assaults at Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Women.
Upon news of his resignation, Assembly Democrats Gabriela Mosquera (D-Camden, Gloucester), Lisa Swain (D-Bergen, Passaic) and Angela McKnight (D-Hudson) of the Assembly Women and Children Committee issued the following joint statement:
“Yesterday’s report was a truly disturbing look into the many failings of a system that allowed the women in its care to be assaulted and degraded by guards. This incriminating investigation highlighted significant issues in the Edna Mahan Correctional Facility that were ignored by those in a position of power to prevent and combat these problems.
“The Commissioner’s resignation is necessary to usher in new leadership that can help prevent these kinds of human rights violations from ever taking place again. We must restore the rights of prisoners who have endured abuse for far too long by ensuring they are treated with respect and dignity going forward.
“We look forward to seeing the legislative reforms we are working to advance be implemented by new leadership at the Department of Corrections.”