Multiple officers have been criminally charged and dozens
suspended at New Jersey's women's facility after prisoners
said they were brutally beaten by staff.
Newly released video shows some of what happened that night.
Tensions had been rising for weeks. Some staff had been
assaulted union official said while prisoners reported
mistreatment by officers.
In January, surveillance video captured a prisoner throwing an
unknown liquid from herself. Officers said urine and feces
had been hurled at them in recent weeks.
Late at night, staff prepared to pull women from their cells with
the stated intent of checking for contraband.
Officers suited up in riot gear.
One woman, Emily Dent, did not initially comply.
In audible.
An officer appeared to shoot pepper spray into her cell.
Video showed her being punched for about a minute while she
tried to protect herself.
Was later diagnosed with a concussion.
Another woman pull ed from her room was Desiree Dasilva.
Why would y'all punch on me like that. For no reason like y'all
litteraly is punching on me for what? Officials later said she
suffered a broken right orbital bone.
AjIa Nelson said she was sexually assaulted. Video
appeared to capture her protesting a body search. No Was
it a man over?
Why is it a man ripping my clothes off?
Why is you grabbing my titties?
Why is you grabbing my titties? Stop resisting! Why is you
grabbing my titties?
Why is you grabbing my titties?
At least one other woman also protested the presence of a male
officer during a strip search.
Rae Rawlins said she was kicked in the head and choked after
being handcuffed. Video appeared to show her handcuffed before
the struggle began.
Sometimes it's hard to see exactly what's happening in the
videos. A state report said that may have been to avoid detection
of excessive force.
After the beatings ended, prosecutors said, the cover up
began. Our investigation was delayed in part by false and
misleading reports filed by officers.
Officer Luis Garcia punched Emmalee Dent about 28 times,
according to court records.
He wrote in a report the woman also threw punches. The video
does not show her fighting back.
Prosecutor said a supervisor Sergeant, Amir Bethea watched as
the woman was beaten, but he reported no injuries.
That was a lie to deceive others officials alleged. 10 officers
total have been charged with a range of crimes from assault to
allegedly failing to film key moments of the incident.
Garcia's lawyer denied wrongdoing. The fayo could not
be reached for comment. We must hold accountable. All parties
responsible.
Prisoner said the man who was in charge of the facility
associated administrator Sean St. Paul was also present that
night.
St. Paul has been sued by male prisoners at least three times
in recent years. One said St. Paul broke his arm. The other
said he failed to stop violent officers. One lawsuit was
dismissed on procedural grounds. State officials broadly denied
the accusations and another and declined to comment on the
third.
St. Paul didn't respond to requests for comment and he has
not been charged over the violence in January.
All of this comes after the US Department of Justice found
evidence of rampant sexual abuse behind bars.
The head of the prison system has since resigned and the
governor announced plans to shutter the facility
but closing Edna Mahan could take years.