News

For Immediate Release: October 16, 2024

TRENTON, NJ – On October 11, 2024, a federal judge granted Disability Rights New Jersey’s motion to enforce its right under federal law to investigate allegations of abuse and neglect at Essex County Juvenile Detention Center. This order reinforces one of the most important functions of a Protection and Advocacy system – access to investigate allegations of abuse and neglect.

Disability Rights New Jersey is the state’s designated Protection and Advocacy agency under federal law. Congress created the Protection and Advocacy system to ensure that the human, civil, and legal rights of people with disabilities are protected. Disability Rights New Jersey investigates allegations of abuse and neglect against people with disabilities in institutional settings, like juvenile detention centers. The ability to access these settings is integral to Disability Rights New Jersey’s mandate to protect and advocate for people with disabilities.

Under this investigative access authority, Disability Rights New Jersey has a right to access the physical building where people with disabilities live and receive services, speak with individuals in the facility, and access certain records to conduct a thorough investigation.

As a result of this order, Disability Rights New Jersey will promptly investigate these serious allegations concerning Essex County Juvenile Detention Center to protect the rights of the youth at the facility. A link to the order can be found here.

If you have any allegations to report or want more information, please contact Disability Rights New Jersey’s intake team, toll-free in New Jersey at (800) 922-7233 or by emailing [email protected].