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According to Fox 29, an inmate claims she was sexually assaulted by a correctional officer at the Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Women located at 30 County Rd 513, Clinton, NJ 08809.
On Wednesday, November 10, 2021, 28-year-old Tyrell Harris-McLaughlin was arrested for alleged sexual assault and misconduct. Harris-McLaughlin was a Senior Correctional Police Officer. The New Jersey Department of Corrections Special Investigations Division investigated a complaint filed that alleged he sexually assaulted an inmate on September 16, 2021.
Attorney contributor Brian Kent is a sexual abuse lawyer who represents sex abuse victims in civil lawsuits. Recently Brian shared some of his thoughts on victims sexually abused in a correctional facility filing a sex abuse lawsuit.
"Correctional officers, like other law enforcement agents, are generally trusted professionals as they are expected to protect and offer safety to those around them. Normally, people do not expect these professionals to violate their trust, especially by committing sexual abuse. While most correctional officers are trustworthy people, the sad reality is that there have been cases of them sexually abusing inmates in their care. Correctional officers can easily abuse their positions of trust and power to exploit their vulnerable victims."
"When a correctional officer is accused of sexually abusing an inmate, the victim must be aware of their legal rights and options for legal recourse. Reporting the abuse to other law enforcement agents will initiate a criminal investigation, which is an essential first step. However, there are some cases where victims may have grounds for a sexual abuse lawsuit."
"In the event that the correctional facility is found to be negligent, they too may be liable for the assault. Victims should inquire if the facility took essential preventative measures to prevent the abuse from occurring. These safety measures can include extensive background checks on all employees and monitored video surveillance. If the correctional facility ignored reports of previous misconduct and the perpetrator was allowed to continue their employment, this could also be deemed foreseeable. Negligence on behalf of the facility could result in the facility being liable in a lawsuit. Victims are advised to seek the aid of an experienced sexual abuse lawyer to help determine if they have grounds to pursue a civil lawsuit."
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