Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Women

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Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Women (formerly, the Clinton Correctional Facility for Women)[1] is a prison facility for women of the state of New Jersey's Department of Corrections, located in Clinton, New Jersey. Its official abbreviation is EMCFW. The facility was named for Edna Mahan (b. 1900, pronounced Mann), one of the first female correctional superintendents in the U.S.

The current administrator is Charlotte Blackwell; she has served in that position for 18 years. As of February 2005, the prison holds 1,112 inmates in maximum, medium and minimum security sections.

According to the New Jersey Department of Corrections, Edna Mahan "provides custody and treatment programs for female offenders ages 16 and older. The facility features the Puppies Behind Bars program, in which inmates train guide dogs for the blind, among other unique ventures. EMCFW has a drug and alcohol treatment unit as well as Bureau of State Use Industries shops specializing in clothing and tele-response/data entry."

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[edit] Escape

On November 2, 1979, Joanne Chesimard, in jail serving a life sentence for the 1973 murder of a New Jersey State Trooper, escaped from the facility, after three members of the Black Liberation Army drew .45-caliber automatic pistols. Two guards were taken hostage as part of the escape and were released unharmed.[2][3] Charged with assisting in her escape was her brother, Mutulu Shakur, and Silvia Baraldini. In part for his role in the event, Mutulu was named on July 23, 1982 as the 380th addition to the FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list, where he remained for the next four years until his capture in 1986.

[edit] Lawsuits

A class action lawsuit was filed on behalf of male correctional officers alleging that the policy of only employing female guards was discriminatory. In 1991, the state entered into a consent agreement allowing male correctional officers to work at Edna Mahan.

The addition of male guards resulted in problems leading to additional legal action. Officers were disciplined, fired, or criminally prosecuted for offenses including exchanging sexual favors for gifts or money. One officer, Lt. Ralph Grier, was sentenced to five years for paying an inmate $30 to pose for nude photographs.[4]

[edit] Film appearances

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 based on Steven Kalafer's observation of the Life Skills Academy program.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Cori Anne Natoli and Arpi Nakashian. 1998, October 25. "Sentencing looms for Drexler." Asbury Park Press.
  2. ^ "Miss Chesimard Flees Jersey Prison, Helped By 3 Armed 'Visitors'; Miss Chesimard Escapes in Jersey Roadblocks Set Up", The New York Times, November 3, 1979. p. 1
  3. ^ 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 0896086488. p. 308
  4. ^ In this prison, little room, little money, lots of women, The Star-Ledger, May 24, 2004

[edit] External links

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