![]() “Despite the wide availability of vaccines, there has been hesitancy amongst both correctional institution staff and inmates to receive vaccinations.”.“The PBA union representing the line officers had no direct communications with CCJ administration, largely die to a fundamental sense of distrust between the parties.”.“This Third Report and Recommendation will address the remaining issues, but it appears that the overall root cause of the problems at CCJ remains the same: a lack of communication and accountability that is exacerbated by the distrust and concern over the future of continued operations of the Jail.”.“Although it appears that CCJ has, on its own and in response to the recommendations provided by the Special Master, made some progress, it is still apparent that much still needs to be done.”.Some excerpts from the third and final special master report on the Cumberland County Jail are as follows. This is the first use of body cameras by the county jail. The cameras will be issued to corrections officers transporting prisoners. The board also approved the purchase of 30 body cameras and related accessories. The rule change is effective through Jan. The change is meant to encourage officers to accept overtime and fill vacancies created by a lack of officers. Under the change, officers will be paid at double their contracted hourly wage starting with hour 81 instead of being paid 1.5 times their regular wage at that point. A two-week pay period of 80 hours is used at the jail. The board approved a request from the warden to adjust overtime pay rules for officers. On Tuesday night, the county Board of Commissioners approved a number of jail-related actions. He replaces Charles Warren, who resigned in late September. 13 under a shared services agreement that is to last through April 30, 2022. The Cumberland County Jail currently operates under Gloucester County Jail Warden Eugene Caldwell.Ĭaldwell assumed control on Oct. Related: Utilities authority looking for director chairman steps out of search process Related: Federal judge orders Cumberland to turn over more jail communications on May incident “Since that Septemmeeting, there has been no response.” “When it was noted that the Department of Corrections had a procedure by which it could order CCJ not to accept new inmates, given its inability to operate in compliance with the regulations, the reply was that the issue would be researched and a response would be forthcoming,” Hughes writes. “When it was noted that the 2021 inspection focused on the conditions in 2019, rather than addressing the clear lapses currently existing at CCJ, there was no response,” Hughes writes. “Most striking, however, was the apparent abdication of oversight responsibility of CCJ by the New Jersey Department of Corrections,” Hughes wrote. One recommendation, which Hughes endorses, was to have officers work eight-hour shifts instead of 12-hour shifts. Hughes contacted the NJDOC about detailing its officers to the jail and consulted about how to respond to a shortage of officers. Hughes even looked at county jail relations with the New Jersey Department of Corrections, reaching a negative conclusion on it. “We question whether the critical paths outlined and recommendations made herein can be achieved or if they are beyond the capabilities of the current leadership,” Hughes concludes. But the effort also covered issues such as the impact of the county decision in 2020 to close the jail, staff shortages and attempts to address the shortage, and inmate as well as staff attitudes toward vaccinations. The special master’s main task was to examine COVID-19 policies and practices. District Court in Camden based on inspections and interviews done at the jail since May. “It is a proactive step in the right direction, we see and hear the concerns and we are addressing them.”Ĭounty officials as of Tuesday have a completed jail study from another source to peruse – the third and final report on the jail operations prepared by a federal court special master and an independent team assembled for the task.Īttorney William J. “This is a safety and security audit that was offered by the commissioner as per the warden’s request,” Hirata said. “This is an audit, not a surprise inspection,” county Deputy Administrator Jody Hirata said. Watch Video: Watch: Corrections officers protest proposed Cumberland County Jail closureīRIDGETON – The New Jersey Department of Corrections on Wednesday began a three-day inspection of the Cumberland County Jail, according to a county spokeswoman.
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