New Jersey State Prison
The New Jersey State Prison (NJSP), formerly known as Trenton State Prison, is a state prison in Trenton, New Jersey operated by the New Jersey Department of Corrections.[1] It accommodated over 1,900 prisoners as of January, 2005.[2]
NJSP operates two security units and provides a high level of custodial supervision and control. Professional treatment services, such as education and social work, are a priority at the facility. The Bureau of State Use Industries operates the bedding and clothing shops located in the facility.
NJSP also housed New Jersey's death row until the state banned capital punishment in 2007. Its inmates include John Martini, who was condemned for the kidnapping and murder of a Bergen County businessman, and Jesse Timmendequas, who was sentenced to death for the rape and murder of 7-year-old Megan Kanka. This crime inspired the passing of Megan's Law, which requires communities to be notified when a convicted sex offender moves into their area. Many states have subsequently adopted similar measures.
History
In 1952, a series of violent revolts by prisoners occurred in the prison in March, April and October, but they were all successfully quelled after lengthy showdowns between prisoners and officers.
In 1976, when inmates included boxer Rubin Carter who had been wrongly convicted of murder, a concert was given at the prison by Bob Dylan together with Joan Baez, Ramblin' Jack Elliot and Joni Mitchell.
Notable prisoners
- Richard Kuklinski (1935–2006), Notorious mafia hit man known as "The Iceman" who was connected to the Gambino crime family.[3]
- Joseph Kuklinski (1944–2003), The younger brother of the infamous contract killer Richard Kuklinski. He was convicted of raping and murdering a 12-year-old girl at the age of 25.
- Peter Kudzinowski (1903–1929), sentenced to death for murdering children
- Jesse Timmendequas (1969–present), who was sentenced to death for the rape and murder of 7-year-old Megan Kanka, which led to the passage of Megan's Law.
- Joseph Vincent Moriarty (1910?-1979), numbers racketteer
- Ocey Snead's killer
- Bruno Hauptmann, for the infamous kidnapping of Charles Lindbergh's toddler son.
- Charles Cullen (1960–present), New Jersey's most prolific serial killer. Admitted to killing at least 35 people while working as a nurse in numerous New Jersey and Pennsylvania hospitals.
- Robert O. Marshall (1939–present), Originally sentenced to death for hiring a hit-man from Louisiana to kill his wife, his sentence was commuted to life in prison
- Richard Fran Biegenwald (1940–2008), a serial killer who killed at least nine and is suspected in at least two other murders. Operated in Monmouth County, New Jersey in the early 1980s
- John Martini (1930–2009), kidnapper and murderer of Bergen County businessman Irving Flax in 1989. Martini and accomplice Therese Afdahl picked up the ransom money, murdered Irving Flax and were able to give the FBI the slip. Martini and Afdahl were arrested several days later by Detectives of the Fort Lee Police Department who recognized both Martini and Afdahl from suspect descriptions provided by the FBI.[4][5][6][7]
- Rubin Carter
- Edgar Smith
- Max B (2009–Present) Rapper/former member of Byrdgang.[8] Refused a 10 year plea deal hoping to beat the charges and return to rapping. Sentenced to 75 years in prison for Felony murder, kidnapping & armed robbery.
- Jonathan Zarate (1987). Murdered and dismembered his neighbor with the help of his brother, James
- James Zarate (1990). Helped his brother murder his neighbor, tried to dispose of body into Passaic River.
References
External links