This is who Edna Mahan was and how her dream of a reformist prison died | Opinion

Edna Mahan op-ed

Zero-tolerance and get-tough policies arrived in the 1980s, and the disposition of the prison changed. The atmosphere of reformation that Edna Mahan had cultivated for over 40 years disappeared. Michael B. Mitchell, an assistant professor of African American studies and criminology at The College of New Jersey, and Dr. Jason M. Williams, an assistant professor of justice studies at Montclair State University, say Gov. Murphy was too slow to respond to our state’s racist and failed prison system, and the public should monitor how he responds to this crisis.

By Michael B. Mitchell and Jason M. Williams

The reputation of the scandal-ridden Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Women has departed significantly from the rehabilitative ideals and practices of the notable superintendent named for the prison. Considered a progressive advocate for women before and throughout her tenure as a correctional administrator, Edna Mahan’s impressive record of reforming women offenders is a stark contrast to present-day reports of staff misconduct, violations of departmental policies, and human rights abuses against its residents.

In the early 19th century, before the women’s prison was created in Union Township, prison construction was designed with men in mind. Women found themselves housed and segregated within the same facilities where they were often subjected to neglect, extensive use of solitary confinement, and physical and sexual abuse by male inmates and guards.

A moral crusade of reformers took hold first in England, which later inspired the American women’s prison reform movement. Central to this movement was the belief that women offenders could best be rehabilitated and redirected from criminality by women from the community. Separate institutions for these women came as a result of efforts by the growing women’s reformatory movement. Edna Mahan became an important part of this movement.

Edna Mahan attended the University of California at Berkeley during the women’s suffrage movement and became involved in many organizations and activities concerned about women’s issues. After gaining some graduate and work experience in Los Angeles and Boston in the immediate years after, she took over the Clinton Farms State Reformatory for Women. She held this title for 40 years, from 1928 until her death in 1968. She was buried on the facility’s grounds.

In the initial years of her tenure, Mahan overturned a correctional institution for women that was under poor leadership, imposed excessive restrictions, and provided differential treatment to women of color and their babies, among other things. Some of the changes she instituted early in her position included abolishing degrading punishments and physical restraints, such as handcuffs, except for the most disruptive inmates. Her open-door policy with inmates and staff created a culture that was inclusive and less authoritarian.

Mahan believed that a reformatory for women should be an open atmosphere where “inmate governance” can be implemented at the cottage level whereby grievances are settled, and residents share individual and group responsibility toward their general welfare. Toward the end of her tenure as superintendent, the reformatory saw an increasing population of younger, aggressive women that challenged the longevity of Mahan’s institutional reforms; however, she never abandoned the progressive ideals and practices upon which her career was built.

Then zero-tolerance and get-tough policies arrived with the 1980s, and the disposition of the prison changed. The institution’s orientation went from a rehabilitative gendered-base reparative formation to that of incapacitation and retribution. While these changes occurred around the nation, the case of Mahan was especially egregious given that it is New Jersey’s only women’s prison. Therefore, if incarcerated women had credible reasons for a transfer, there was nowhere they could escape.

We would later learn that the prison was ripe with corruption. The gravest of which was sexual assault against incarcerated women at the institution. While notice of these inhumane practices was widely known among those detained, officials connected to the institution and outside failed to take material steps in alleviating the cruel and unusual punishment these women had to bear. Finally, in 2021 investigations were had that resulted in the suspension of 31 correctional officers, and the conviction of the public in wanting to know more about what was happening inside.

With the adoption of the get-tough mentality in the state’s prisons, the hyper dehumanization of incarcerated people gave way to a culture of corruption and criminality within Mahan. Yet, the deterioration in this prison was more perverted given the gender hierarchy in which we already live; therefore, women’s prisons were destined to suffer more than their male counterparts during the midst of get-tough policies and culture shifts.

Without independent oversight, which would include civilians, to investigate such matters, the women suffered in silence as the criminal justice system grew more preferential to racist, classist and sexist policies. More critical is that Mahan’s earlier commitments saw fit to foreground the need to address the needs of women of color. Yet, today, these Black and Latina women are disproportionately incarcerated in New Jersey in an institution that is nothing like its former progressive superintendent imagined.

Gov. Phil Murphy has finally decided to close the scandal-ridden prison after the report by Lowenstein and Sandler, which documented egregious violations. While this is the right thing to do, it should not have taken so long for the governor to move on this issue, especially considering that he has progressive roots and campaigned on addressing issues within the criminal justice system. The slow move to act has many in progressive circles questioning his total commitment to racial justice.

If there is going to be a real commitment to racial justice, the governor and legislators must seriously consider the harms of the prison against the disproportionate prisoners of color who are being brought into what is clearly a failed prison system. Similar to the closing of Rikers Island, there is no immediate plan regarding where these women will go. These women have faced enough cruel punishment at the hands of the state; their pain is irreversible and will likely stay with them for a lifetime. It would be appropriate for the state to respond by remembering Edna Mahan’s commitment to restoration and true justice.

Any changes as to the future of these women’s plight under carceral supervision should include their needs and perspective. It would behoove New Jersey to adopt community-based strategies that would keep these women, mostly mothers, with their families. Moreover, community-based strategies have shown to be more cost-effective and efficient when dealing with system-impacted people. It would be an excellent investment if the state could address the women’s root needs and help to ease barriers they’ve faced.

With a new election around the corner, many spectators are waiting cautiously to see how Governor Murphy and his “progressive agenda” will respond to our state’s racist and failed prison system. Someday, the lives of the incarcerated will matter, and issues around the prison will no longer be a political risk. At the moment, much is left to be desired from New Jersey officials.

Michael B. Mitchell, is a Ph.D. candidate and assistant professor of African American studies and criminology at The College of New Jersey.

Jason M. Williams, Ph.D, is an assistant professor of justice studies at Montclair State University.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Here’s how to submit an op-ed or Letter to the Editor. Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow us on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and on Facebook at NJ.com Opinion. Get the latest news updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.com’s newsletters.

If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.