The on-site Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) compliance audit of the Edna Mahan Correctional Facility (EMCF), New Jersey
Department of Corrections (NJDOC), was conducted October 11-12, 2016. Prior to the audit, the facility submitted the Pre-Audit
Questionnaire to the auditor and provided a comprehensive set of supporting documents for the responses to the questionnaire. This
information was discussed with the facility PREA Manager before the on-site visit. Much of the documentation was in the form of NJDOC
and EMCF written policies and documentation supporting full compliance to the PREA.
An entrance meeting was held the first day of the audit to discuss any concerns regarding the audit process and to finalize the facility tour
and interview schedules. The following persons were in attendance: the Administrator, Assistant Administrator/PREA Manager, a
Management Analysis and a Lieutenant. A comprehensive tour of the entire facility was completed. The tour included the facility’s intake
area, all housing units, the restricted housing/protective custody unit, health care, recreation, food service, maintenance support and
education/ programming areas. During the tour, it was noted that there were ninety three video cameras with recording capabilities, PREA
information postings and staffing was observed to be clearly sufficient to ensure a safe environment for inmates and staff. No "blind spots"
were noted. Signs were posted (in English and Spanish) throughout the institution that provided PREA reporting methods, the zero
tolerance policy and other contact information. Audit notice postings with the PREA auditors’ contact information were also located in the
same areas. Informal conversations with employees and inmates regarding the PREA standards were conducted during the tour. There
were no letters mailed to the auditor as a result of the audit postings in the housing units. The facility was observed to be reasonably
clean, orderly and quiet.
A total of sixteen randomly selected staff were interviewed and included employees from several departments. Correctional officers and
supervisors from various shifts were included. All were aware of the agency’s zero tolerance policy and knew of their responsibilities to
protect inmates from sexual abuse/harassment and their duties as first responders. Specialized staff were also interviewed and included
the Administrator, Assistant Administrator/PREA Manager, a Major, the Training Lieutenant, a Health Services Supervisor, a Management
Analyst, three investigators (one investigator was a local law enforcement detective assisting the EMCF investigators), the Volunteer
Coordinator, the Social Work Supervisor, one volunteer and two contractors. All interviewed staff, the contractors and the volunteer
demonstrated an understanding of the PREA and their responsibilities under the PREA compliance program, relative to their position in
the organization and employment status.
Eighteen inmates were interviewed and were randomly selected from all housing units. One inmate self-identified as being limited English
Proficient, one was Transgender, two were disabled and one had previously reported an allegation of sexual abuse. No inmates
self-identified as Lesbian, Bi-sexual or Intersex. The total number of inmates interviewed included three who requested and were granted
interviews with the auditor. All inmates interviewed demonstrated a good understanding of the PREA program and the prevention,
protection and reporting mechanisms and stated they felt safe at the facility. No inmates refused to be interviewed.
A review of the investigative files opened during the past twelve months alleging sexual abuse or sexual harassment was conducted.
There were six allegations by inmates of inmate on inmate sexual abuse/assault. There was one allegation of staff on inmate abuse that
was an open investigation at the time of the audit. There were two forensic evidence collections by a SANE (Sexual Abuse Nurse
Examiner) provider in the community within the last twelve months.. All investigations were completed promptly, thoroughly and were well
documented.
The auditor concluded, through interviews and a review of policies and documentation, that all staff and inmates were very knowledgeable
concerning their responsibilities regarding the Prison Rape Elimination Act. During the interviews, the inmates acknowledged that they
received information about the facility's zero tolerance policy against sexual abuse upon arrival and indicated that most staff were
respectful and helpful. Staff were able to describe their specific duties and responsibilities, including being a "first responder", if an
incident occurred or an allegation of sexual abuse/sexual harassment was made.