Sex Assault Indictment For Former Corrections Officer At Embattled Women's Prison

NEW JERSEY — A Hunterdon County grand jury indicted a former senior corrections officer at Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Women in connection with the sexual assault of a female inmate at the facility, officials said Friday.

The indictment is the latest in a series of problems that have been brought to light in the facility, including more than 12 other corrections officers and other officials being indicted for crimes, and women being impregnated by a fellow inmate.

The New Jersey Attorney General’s Office of Public Integrity and Accountability and Hunterdon County Prosecutor Renée M. Robeson said Friday that a grand jury returned a three-count indictment against Tyrell Harris-McLaughlin, 29, of Jersey City on Sept. 29.

He was indicted on one count of second-degree sexual assault, one count of second-degree official misconduct, and one count of fourth-degree criminal sexual contact.

Harris-McLaughlin was charged in October 2021 in connection with the sexual assault of a female inmate over whom he had supervisory and disciplinary power.

The complaint can be found here.

“The allegations in this indictment are among the most egregious possible abuses of the badge, and the credibility and public trust that come with it,” said Thomas Eicher, executive director of OPIA.

Hunterdon County Prosecutor Renée M. Robeson said, “When those entrusted to serve the public are alleged to have violated their oath, we will thoroughly and objectively carry out our commitment to seek justice."

READ MORE: NJ Women's Prison Plagued By Sex Abuse Of Inmates To Be Reformed