Guard-turned-inmate sentenced for brutal prison attack — gavel stock photo

Former prison officer sentenced to 5 years for assaulting inmate at South Woods State Prison

BRIDGETON, NJ – A former senior corrections officer at South Woods State Prison has been sentenced to five years in state prison for attacking a 61-year-old inmate during an unprovoked encounter, according to Cumberland County Prosecutor Jennifer Webb-McRae.

Cortlen S. Flax, 37, of Woodbury, was sentenced on Thursday following his conviction for second-degree official misconduct in connection with the assault of Julio Valdez of Jersey City. The sentencing followed a jury’s guilty verdict in July. A motion for a new trial was previously filed in September but was denied.

Prosecutors said Flax, who was working at South Woods State Prison at the time, entered Valdez’s cell and struck him on the left side of the head without provocation. The force of the blow caused a ruptured eardrum, according to evidence presented during the trial.

Flax’s conviction for simple assault was merged into the official misconduct charge for sentencing purposes. He must serve the entire five-year sentence before becoming eligible for release, per New Jersey sentencing guidelines.

The investigation was led by the New Jersey Department of Corrections Special Investigations Division.

Assistant County Prosecutor Charles J. Wettstein handled the case for the state. Flax was represented by attorneys Stuart J. Alterman and Donna O’Brien of Marlton.

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Key Points

Cortlen S. Flax, a former corrections officer, sentenced to 5 years for official misconduct
Flax assaulted 61-year-old inmate Julio Valdez without provocation, causing serious injury
Jury found Flax guilty in July; sentence requires full term served with no early release

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