Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Women

Before the facility opened, female offenders in New Jersey were held in their own wing at Trenton State Prison. In 1911, the New Jersey Legislature approved the usage of funds to purchase a 400-acre farm outside of the town of Clinton for use as a reformatory solely for women. The new facility would open two years later, in 1913, as the New Jersey State Reformatory for Women, also known as Clinton Farms. The property originally contained three farmhouses, barns and other outbuildings, with security enhancements such as window girllings and locks being made to the farmhouses in order to accommodate inmates.

In 1928, Edna Mahan became superintendent of Clinton Farms, becoming one of the first women in the country to lead a prison. Mahan, a staunch reformer, oversaw numerous changes to the structure of how the prison ran. The facility had minimal security barriers. There was no security fencing that enclosed the property, and Mahan ordered the removal of bars from buildings. In addition, a number of privileges were offered to well-behaved inmates, such as the ability to free-roam the property as well as day parole. Entertainment options were also provided. During this time, Edna Mahan also oversaw the integration of black and white prisoners into the same accommodations.

During Mahan's tenure as superintendent the facility continued to expand. In 1962, the Center Building was refitted into a maximum-security unit after a group of four women broke into the building and vandalized numerous fixtures. Two years later, a bond referendum was approved by voters which provided funds for the construction of six new buildings, including an entirely new maximum-security building. Edna Mahan served as superintendent until her death in 1968, and was buried on the property.{{Cite web |last=O'Dea |first=Colleen |date=October 30, 2023 |title=Edna Mahan Women's Prison, a History |url=https://www.njspotlightnews.org/special-report/edna-mahan-nj-only-womens-prison-history/ |access-date=October 30, 2023 |website=NJ Spotlight News}} The Clinton Correctional Facility for Women was renamed in honor of her in 1987 by the New Jersey General Assembly.

1979 Escape of Assata Shakur

The prison came under national attention when, on November 2, 1979, Assata Shakur, a member of the Black Liberation Army, escaped from the facility aided by three of her fellow members. She had been serving a life sentence for the murder of New Jersey State Trooper Werner Foerster during a traffic stop along the New Jersey Turnpike. During the escape, a prison van was stolen and two officers were taken hostage, but were released unharmed in the parking lot of the adjacent Hunterdon State School for the Retarded, where getaway cars were parked.{{Cite web|last=Hanley|first=Robert|date=3 November 1979|title=Miss Chesimard Flees Jersey Prison, Helped By 3 Armed 'Visitors'|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1979/11/03/archives/miss-chesimard-flees-jersey-prison-helped-by-3-armed-visitors-miss.html#:~:text=CLINTON%2C%20N.J.%2C%20Nov.,help%20of%20three%20armed%20men.|access-date=25 November 2020|website=The New York Times}}Churchill, Ward and James Vander Wall. 2002. The Cointelpro papers: documents from the FBI's secret wars against dissent in the United States. South End Press. {{ISBN|0-89608-648-8}}. p. 308 Charged with assisting in her escape were Mutulu Shakur (no relation) and Silvia Baraldini. In part for his role in the event, Mutulu was named as the 380th addition to the FBI's list of Most Wanted Fugitives on July 23, 1982; he was captured in 1986.

In 2013, Assata Shakur was placed on the FBI's list of Most Wanted Terrorists. She is believed to be living in Cuba under political asylum.

In April 2020, the United States Department of Justice released a report which cited the "open secret" of sexual misconduct in the prison.{{Cite web|last=Sullivan|first=S. P.|date=14 April 2020|title=Sexual abuse of inmates at N.J. women's prison is an 'open secret,' federal inquiry finds|url=https://www.nj.com/coronavirus/2020/04/sexual-abuse-of-inmates-at-nj-womens-prison-is-an-open-secret-federal-inquiry-finds.html|access-date=25 November 2020|website=nj.com|language=en}}{{Cite web|last=Condon|first=Jenny-Brooke|date=21 April 2020|title=Time's up. Murphy must accept responsibility for sexual abuse at N.J.'s women's prison {{!}} Opinion|url=https://www.nj.com/opinion/2020/04/times-up-murphy-must-accept-responsibility-for-sexual-abuse-at-njs-womens-prison-opinion.html|access-date=25 November 2020|website=nj.com|language=en}}

In 1994, Kevin Brodie was fired and prosecuted for having a sexual relationship with an inmate/parolee.{{Cite web|date=11 April 2005|title=Heggenmiller v. Edna Mahan Correctional Institution for Women|url=http://www2.ca3.uscourts.gov/opinarch/041786np.pdf|website=United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit}}

In 1995, William Jimenez stayed in a hotel with an inmate during a leave of absence. He was later fired and prosecuted.

In the summer of 1998, David Clappison entered a guilty plea to sexual assault after admitting to having had sexual relations with an inmate.

Robert Scannicchio was fired for vacationing with a former inmate in 1998. It was also reported that they became “unduly familiar” with each other while she was incarcerated.

In the spring of 1998, Jeffrey Barr was fired and prosecuted for having sexual contact with an inmate.

Stewart Sella was accused of sexually assaulting Jacqueline Haggenmiller and Tammy Davis ten times between 1997 and 1999. In 1998, Haggenmiller reported rapes and sexual assaults against her by Sella. After a formal investigation, Sella was fired and charged in 2000.

Tammy Davis initially reported her allegations against Sella to Regina Dozier, almost two years prior to Haggenmiller's reports. Dozier was later investigated and fired for covering up Davis’ allegations. Dozier was also charged with official misconduct and improper sexual contact after she allegedly had sexual contact with four inmates at the prison.{{Cite web|date=19 September 2003|title=The Courier-News from Bridgewater, New Jersey · Page 39|url=http://www.newspapers.com/newspage/224752043/|website=Newspapers.com|language=en}}

Ralph Grier was sentenced to five years in prison for taking photos of an inmate while she was “flashing” the camera. It was verbally agreed upon before the taking of the photos between Grier and the inmate that she would receive $150 and a transfer to a new cell. Instead of this, she received $30 and no transfer. Before the incident, Grier would often give the inmate cigarettes, candy, gum, and, on one occasion, a pair of earrings.{{Cite web|date=5 September 2006|title=State of New Jersey v. Ralph W. Grier|url=https://law.justia.com/cases/new-jersey/appellate-division-unpublished/2006/a5279-03-opn.html|website=law.justia.com}}

In 2008, James Gallichio was charged with second-degree misconduct and sexual assault after an unidentified inmate came forwarded and told investigators that they had a “mutual sexual relationship” while she was incarcerated, according to a probable cause affidavit. Gallichio smuggled a phone into the facility for the inmate and, between November 2007 and March 2008, the two spoke on the phone 894 times. Since most of the phone calls were made over a recorded line, it was easy for investigators to discover their professed love for each other. Also, it was stated that Gallichio smuggled in the “wand”, code for pregnancy test, to the inmate, and that “tells you something”, according to court papers. Gallichio is currently serving a 12-year sentence for armed robbery.{{Cite web|last=Hepp|first=Rick|date=15 April 2008|title=Gun search at N.J. prison comes up empty|url=https://www.police1.com/police-products/corrections/articles/gun-search-at-nj-prison-comes-up-empty-cHob5ZfkIUtrhuTr/|access-date=25 November 2020|website=Police1|language=en}}{{Cite web|date=6 October 2016|title=State of New Jersey v. James J. Gallichio|url=https://law.justia.com/cases/new-jersey/appellate-division-unpublished/2016/a0589-13.html|website=law.justia.com}}

On October 31, 2016, Joel Herscap entered a guilty plea for the following charges: two counts of second-degree official misconduct, two counts of second-degree sexual assault, and one count of fourth-degree criminal sexual contact. It was reported that he was trading tobacco products in exchange for sex.{{Cite web|last=Graziano|first=Sallie|date=26 May 2016|title=Kitchen worker allegedly traded cigarettes for sex at women's prison|url=https://www.nj.com/hunterdon/2016/05/kitchen_worker_at_nj_womens_prison_charged_with_se.html|access-date=25 November 2020|website=nj.com|language=en}}

Jason Mays was arrested in September 2016 and was later found guilty of sexual assault, criminal sexual contact, as well as official misconduct. One of the inmates with whom Mays performed intercourse testified during his trial. She said she only did it because her parole date was coming up and didn't want another infraction. She also stated “It was an officer versus an inmate… they could take my release date away from me in a blink of an eye.”{{Cite web|last=Sullivan|first=S. P.|date=9 May 2018|title=Officer at N.J.'s troubled women's prison convicted for sexually abusing 2 inmates|url=https://www.nj.com/news/2018/05/verdict_jason_mays_corrections_officer.html|access-date=25 November 2020|website=nj.com|language=en}}

Ahnwar Dixon was arrested on November 19, 2016, and was later indicted on one count of second-degree sexual assault, three counts of second-degree official misconduct, five counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct, and one count of second-degree pattern of official misconduct.{{Cite web|last=Harris|first=Taylor Tiamoyo|date=19 January 2018|title=Corrections officer facing new assault charges after 3rd victim identified|url=https://www.nj.com/hunterdon/2018/01/corrections_officer_facing_multiple_charges_for_se.html|access-date=25 November 2020|website=nj.com|language=en}}

Brian Ambroise was arrested in October 2016 and is set to face charges of sexual assault and official misconduct. It was reported that Ambroise engaged in a “pattern” of official misconduct.{{Cite web|last=Sullivan|first=S. P.|date=5 October 2017|title=New charges in sex abuse scandal at N.J. women's prison|url=https://www.nj.com/news/2017/10/new_charges_in_sex_abuse_scandal_at_nj_womens_pris.html|access-date=25 November 2020|website=nj.com|language=en}}

Thomas Seguine was arrested on February 19, 2017, and sentenced on May 1, 2017. He pleaded guilty to official misconduct after authorities accused him of having sex with an inmate. He was sentenced to three years in prison.{{Cite web|last=Sullivan|first=S. P.|date=1 May 2017|title=Former officer at N.J. women's prison gets 3 years over sex abuse claims|url=https://www.nj.com/news/2017/05/former_officer_at_nj_womens_prison_gets_3_years_ov.html|access-date=25 November 2020|website=nj.com|language=en}}

Joel Mercado was indicted on August 17, 2017, on two counts of official misconduct and two counts of sexual assault. It was reported that Mercado had sexual relationships with two separate inmates.{{Cite web|last=Sullivan|first=S. P.|date=17 August 2017|title=Another officer at N.J. women's prison charged with sex abuse|url=https://www.nj.com/news/2017/08/another_officer_at_nj_womens_prison_charged_with_s.html|access-date=25 November 2020|website=nj.com|language=en}}

On February 2, 2018, Ronald Coleman Jr. was arrested and charged with seven counts of official misconduct, two counts of sexual assault, two counts of conspiracy to commit sexual assault, one count of pattern of official misconduct, and three counts of criminal sexual conduct.{{Cite web|last=Muscavage|first=Nick|date=3 February 2018|title=Edna Mahan guard charged with sexual assault|url=https://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/news/crime/jersey-mayhem/2018/02/03/edna-mahan-guard-charged-sexual-assault/303569002/|access-date=25 November 2020|website=MyCentralJersey.com|language=en-US}}

Erick Melgar had sexual assault allegations against him by six different inmates. Melgar was fired from his job as a correctional officer in 2010. On March 22, 2017, Melgar reportedly paid the six inmates $75,000. Melgar was never officially charged with a crime. The head of the Edna Mahan during the time of the internal investigation stated that Melgar should have been criminally charged.{{Cite web|last=Sullivan|first=S. P.|date=22 March 2017|title=N.J. corrections officer accused of sex abuse at women's prison to pay inmates $75K|url=https://www.nj.com/news/2017/03/nj_corrections_officer_accused_of_sex_abuse_to_pay.html|access-date=25 November 2020|website=nj.com|language=en}}{{Cite web|last=Sullivan|first=S. P.|title=Locked Up, Fighting Back|url=https://www.nj.com/news/page/locked_up.html|access-date=25 November 2020|website=nj.com}}

{{Cite web|last=Muscavage|first=Nick|date=22 February 2018|title=Edna Mahan inmates testify about sexual assault allegations before state Senate|url=https://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/news/politics/new-jersey/2018/02/22/edna-mahan-inmates-testify-sexual-assault-allegations-before-state-senate/364409002/|access-date=25 November 2020|website=MyCentralJersey.com|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|last=Foster|first=David|date=12 October 2016|title=NJ reports only 2 'substantiated' rapes at prisons since 2012|url=https://www.trentonian.com/news/nj-reports-only-2-substantiated-rapes-at-prisons-since-2012/article_3cc27151-79d8-51a6-a856-11ebaa63f431.html|access-date=25 November 2020|website=trentonian.com|language=en}}

A 2020 report by the Justice Department mentioned that sexual abuse had been rampant at the facility for decades. In mid-2020, press reports indicated that some inmates were forced to trade sex for toilet paper.{{cite news|last1=Heyboer|first1=Kelly|last2=Livio|first2=Susan K.|date=2 July 2020|title=Forced to have sex in exchange for toilet paper: Ex-inmates detail abuse by guards in N.J. women's prison|work=nj.com|publisher=New Jersey Advance Media|url=https://www.nj.com/news/2020/07/trading-sex-for-toilet-paper-and-bubble-gum-inmates-detail-abuse-by-guards-in-njs-womens-prison.html|access-date=3 July 2020}}

In 2021, 31 correctional staff members were suspended.{{cite web|last=Tully|first=Tracey|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/28/nyregion/edna-mahan-correctional-facility-abuse.html|title=31 Guards Suspended at a Women's Prison Plagued by Sexual Violence|newspaper=The New York Times|date=2021-01-28|access-date=2021-01-30}}

As a result of the numerous incidents and allegations, the governor of New Jersey announced that the prison would be closed.

The facility played host to The Rolling Thunder Revue Tour on December 7, 1975, headed by Bob Dylan.

The 2004 documentary Freedom Road by Lorna A. Johnson, depicting the lives of three inmates, was filmed at Edna Mahan. Another documentary, Going Home, was also shot at Edna Mahan and was based on Steven Kalafer's observation of the Life Skills Academy program.

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REFERENCES

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Category:Buildings and structures in Hunterdon County, New Jersey

Category:Prisons in New Jersey

Category:Women's prisons in New Jersey

Category:Union Township, Hunterdon County, New Jersey

Category:1913 establishments in New Jersey

Category:Women in New Jersey