TRENTON — The Department of Corrections is overhauling prison family programs in response to accusations a sex offender was able to inappropriately touch a 9-year-old girl during an event behind prison walls. In addition, at least one corrections officer is facing disciplinary charges in connection with the incident, according to two state officials with knowledge of the case. Family...
Exterior of the Adult Diagnostic and Treatment Center in Avenel in this file photo.TRENTON — The Department of Corrections is overhauling prison family programs in response to accusations a sex offender was able to inappropriately touch a 9-year-old girl during an event behind prison walls.
In addition, at least one corrections officer is facing disciplinary charges in connection with the incident, according to two state officials with knowledge of the case.
Family events were previously held like picnics where inmates and visiting relatives were able to mingle. But future programs will be heavily regimented and better supervised, Corrections spokesman Matt Schuman said.
"It won’t be as loosely run as it might have been," he said.
However, Schuman said children will still be allowed to attend, sparking another round of criticism from a prison union leader.
The department launched its internal review of family programs following a Star-Ledger inquiry into the June 16 "family day" event at the Adult Diagnostic and Treatment Center, a specialized prison for sex offenders in Avenel.
The annual program was attended by 210 inmates and 534 relatives, 116 of them children. Corrections officials said 30 officers provided supervision. During the event, convicted sex offender Claudio Gonzalez, 23, allegedly touched the 9-year-old niece of another inmate, documents obtained by The Star-Ledger show.
Gonzalez later told investigators he only "accidentally brushed" her breast while walking with the girl.
Investigators filed disciplinary charges of unauthorized physical contact and assault against Gonzalez, documents show. He is currently incarcerated at Northern State Prison, and one state official said he’s being held in administrative segregation for bad behavior.
The Middlesex County prosecutor’s office did not respond to questions on whether Gonzalez, who pleaded guilty to aggravated sexual assault of a 12-year-old girl in 2006, is facing criminal charges.
During family day Gonzalez did not have any visitors but was allowed to attend, according to a disciplinary report. That’s a violation of Corrections rules, Schuman said.
The department’s internal inquiry has led to disciplinary charges against at least one officer at the prison, according to two officials who were not authorized to discuss the investigation on the record.
Trent Norman, president of Policemen’s Benevolent Association Local 105, which represents prison officers, said the union is planning to appeal the charges. Schuman declined to discuss disciplinary matters.
Corrections officials said family days help inmates stay connected with relatives, increasing their chance of success once they’re released. But they said events need to be re-focused on programmed activities geared toward preparing inmates to return to society.
At future events, Schuman said, staff members will show videos and answer questions about programs available to help inmates reintegrate into society. He also said security will be tighter.
"They want to restrict movements and keep everything in front of custody staff," he said.
Children will still be able to attend, although Schuman said visitors will be asked to always keep their children close.
"If it’s going to be family day, they want to have children there," he said. "But they want to make sure there’s adult supervision at all times."
Jim McGonigal, president of the New Jersey Law Enforcement Supervisors Association, which represents sergeants, said the changes are good but insufficient.
"As a parent, I cannot fathom bringing a child into that atmosphere," he said.
Schuman said family days are currently scheduled at East Jersey State Prison, also in Avenel, for September and October. More are planned at Southern State Prison in Bridgeton but dates have not been set.
The Adult Diagnostic and Treatment Center is still allowed to have family events but none have been scheduled, Schuman said.