Trenton, NJ – New Jersey Corrections Commissioner Victoria L. Kuhn, Esq., voiced deep frustration after a court dismissed indictments against 14 staff members accused of abusing incarcerated women at the Edna Mahan Correctional Facility. The ruling, issued Thursday, ended the criminal case but drew sharp criticism from state prison leadership.
“The events of January 11, 2021, were unconscionable,” Kuhn said in a statement. “The clearly documented actions and behavior of staff that night were horrendous and will never be tolerated. Yesterday’s decision has left me profoundly disappointed, and I urge the Office of the Attorney General to pursue every legal avenue necessary to bring justice to the victims.”
Kuhn pledged that, regardless of the outcome in court, the Department of Corrections will move forward with its own internal review once jurisdiction is returned. The agency’s Special Investigations Division will conduct a full administrative probe and issue disciplinary action, “up to and including removal from employment,” for those responsible.
A Superior Court judge threw out the indictment Thursday against former officers and staff, citing delays, mistakes and what he called “prosecutorial mismanagement” by the state.
In a 60-page ruling, Judge Christopher Garrenger dismissed the case with prejudice, barring prosecutors from refiling the charges but staying his order for 45 days to allow time for an appeal.
The indictment had accused all 14 defendants of official misconduct and records tampering, with 11 also facing second-degree aggravated assault charges.
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The commissioner also pointed to reforms implemented in the years since the Edna Mahan scandal first drew national attention. Those measures include mandatory body-worn cameras for all custody staff, expanded surveillance to eliminate blind spots, trauma-informed training, and cultural reforms specific to the facility. Kuhn said federal monitors have recognized the progress, noting that nearly half of the federal Consent Decree has been dismissed for sustained compliance.
In addition, planning continues for a new facility to replace Edna Mahan, which state officials described as outdated and structurally deteriorating. Development is underway with architects and engineers already in place, and the project remains on schedule and within budget.
Kuhn vowed that reform efforts will not be derailed by the court’s decision. “I am determined to ensure this progress continues, and I will not tolerate conduct that undermines the dignity and trust placed in this Department,” she said.
Even without criminal convictions, the state’s top corrections official made clear the fight for accountability is not over.