Special Treatment Unit
In 2016, Gary Lanigan, the Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Corrections, and a host of others were hit with a class action suit filed by detainees. They claim their civil rights are violated because they are not provided "adequate and meaningful mental health treatment" (necessary for their possible release) due to "systematic deficiencies." The complaint also says that in addition to the reportedly inadequate treatment, plaintiffs have "been confined in punitive conditions" that overstep the goal of the Sexually Violent Predator Act. Plaintiffs seek redress for the defendants’ alleged preference to "warehouse" such offenders out of sight in an attempt to indefinitely detain and punish, rather than treat supposed mental disabilities. "Individual counseling" at the facility is described as "uncommon".
References
- ^ Steptoe, George; Goldet, Antoine (January 28, 2016). "Why Are Some Young Sex Offenders Held Indefinitely in NJ Facility?". NJ Spotlight. Archived from the original on February 8, 2018. Retrieved February 4, 2018.
- ^ Megerian, Chris (February 3, 2010). "N.J. considers transferring jailed sex offenders to East Jersey State Prison". nj.com. Archived from the original on February 8, 2018. Retrieved February 4, 2018.
- ^ Rizzi, Corrado (October 24, 2016). "Special Treatment Unit Detainees File Civil Rights Class Action in NJ". classaction.org. Archived from the original on February 8, 2018. Retrieved February 4, 2018.
- ^ Megerian, Chris (June 10, 2010). "N.J. psychologist fired, faces loss of license after alleged relationship with sex offender patient". nj.com. Archived from the original on February 8, 2018. Retrieved February 4, 2018.
External links
- State of New Jersey Request for Information for the Operation of Facility(ies) for the Treatment of Sexually Violent Predators
- Meronek, Toshio; Meiners, Erica R. (November 10, 2017). "Beyond The Carceral Logic of Civil Commitment". Retrieved February 4, 2018.
Special Treatment Unit at Avenel