N.J. jail needs an outside monitor after inmates sound alarm about COVID conditions, judge rules
Updated May 06, 2021;
A special master will be appointed to oversee a New Jersey jail after inmates filed a class action lawsuit alleging the county and jail officials failed to properly protect them during the coronavirus pandemic.
Cumberland County has agreed to enter into a consent decree that will appoint a special master to oversee the jail and to pay all fees related to the ongoing supervision.
The special master will make a report to the court within 45 days of being appointed detailing their findings related to how the county handled the pandemic in its jail, as well as what can be done to improve its practices moving forward.
The negotiated agreement won immediate praise from an obviously pleased Hillman, who called it a win-win. Ultimately, I think I m going to take the view that this reflects a good faith effort by the county, whatever mistakes may have been made in the past, to move forward and put in place the best jail the county can run under the difficult circumstances we all face, Hillman said. And I think having a monitor here makes a lot of sense in trying to achieve that goal. Ultimately, it also reflects, I think, a reasonable perspective from the plaintiffs, Hillman said. I was struck a couple of times how some of the complaint forms or even in the testimony a prisoner would say, I know this is a jail but. And I think this will go a long way addressing the buts, the things that arise that have caused concern.
Rare trial underway to determine if N.J. jail did enough to protect inmates from COVID
Updated 10:57 AM;
A rare trial during the coronavirus pandemic got underway Tuesday after a group of inmates at the Cumberland County Jail filed a lawsuit alleging they have been held under inadequate conditions at the facility amid the health crisis, putting them at risk to the deadly effects of the virus.
At the core of the civil bench trial, which is being held virtually before U.S. District Judge Noel L. Hillman, is whether the jail implemented policies to safeguard inmates during the pandemic, as well as if they were routinely tested for the virus. County and jail officials argue they have provided the necessary protective equipment to prisoners, and have followed the protocols set by health professionals.
Print article WASHINGTON - Friday’s jobs report, which showed that the economy added 916,000 jobs last month, was another dose of good news for President Joe Biden. Along with the number of vaccinations rising rapidly and a big legislative victory, it’s understandable why administration officials, despite some unresolved problems, believe they are have early momentum. The president is about to be tested anew as he pushes forward a massive package focused on infrastructure, green energy and economic inequities. It will be a more difficult battle than the one he waged over his nearly $2 trillion American Rescue Package. That stimulus package was designed primarily to have the government send money to individuals, businesses and state and local governments, most of it either to deal with aspects of the pandemic or to provide assistance those in need. In other words, it was mostly free money (if you care nothing about debt and deficits), in the same way as the earlier measures