The inmate injured at a New Jersey correctional facility in Clinton Township died Thursday night, three days after his 23rd birthday, state authorities said today.
Joshua Jones, an inmate at the Mountainview
Youth Correctional Facility, was pronounced dead at 5:19 p.m., said New Jersey Department of Corrections spokesman Matthew Schuman.
Jones
had been listed in serious condition at Morristown Medical Center since
Tuesday. Jones' injuries indicated he may have been assaulted,
according to the Hunterdon County Prosecutor's Office. The incident is
considered a criminal investigation, said the office's Chief of
Detectives John Kuczynski.
Jones suffered severe trauma and was
taken to the hospital by helicopter. Details of his injuries or
possible attackers have not been released. Emergency radio broadcasts
Tuesday indicated he was bleeding from his left ear.
Jones was discovered in one
of the facility's dorms where a number of inmates live, according to
reports.
The death came nearly two years to the day after another inmate was beaten to death. Carl Epps, 20, of Egg
Harbor, N.J., was beaten Aug. 22, 2010. Five of his fellow
inmates are accused in Epps' death.
Since Epps' death, two inmates have been stabbed and three guards were beaten by a group of inmates.
Jones
was serving time on weapon possession, criminal restraint and drug
possession charges, according to the department's website. He would have
been eligible for parole Jan. 24.
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Work underway to reopen shuttered Juvenile Detention Center
RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR) – Richmond’s Juvenile Detention Center is still a
work in progress these days after Mayor Jones shuttered the facility
six months ago because of security concerns.
The facility is designed to house young offenders who’ve committed minor and violent crimes.
Rufus Fleming, Senior Deputy Director of Richmond’s Justice Services says crews are working hard to get the facility ready to reopen.
“You’re going to see not only a good facility, you’re going to see the best facility. Not only in the State. But you’re going to see the best facility in the nation,” Fleming said.
And on Friday, CBS 6 News’ Sandra Jones and her photographer were the only TV crew allowed inside to see the improvements.
In the center’s control room, Fleming says monitors are connected to new security cameras throughout the building as a safeguard.
Fleming said staff members will be using new computers to operate the intercom systems and open the cell door locks instead of the old control panels. But Fleming admitted there have been some glitches within the system.
“We’re talking about technology and there stands a possibility it could happen,” he said. “But if we were to do our systems checks on a constant basis, regular basis. We’ll know in advance if there are any problems.”
Security problems forced Mayor Jones to shutdown the facility six months ago. They included allegations of criminal misconduct, charges of mismanagement and falsifying of training records.
Seventy-two people were impacted as a result of the closure.
“We’re reviewing the types of individuals that we’re going to hire,” Fleming said. “It’s going to be a very strict and stringent application process. We would like to see one particular person dedicated to training, keeping track of records.”
Virginia’s NAACP Executive Director King Salim Khalfani blew the whistle on the center after some of employees complained about the conditions.
“They’ve been transparent,” Khalfani said. “They’ve been honest and they’ve admitted all of the problems that existed.”
Still, he believes the mayor and his administration could have fixed the problems without closing the facility. But now, he believes the city is serious about correcting the problems.
“It’s going to be a completely different ideology…,” Khalfani said. “We’re in concurrence with that because they said their motto is they want the young people to be better when they leave then where they come in. So, we can work with that.”
The 72 former employees have been assigned to other city departments. Khalfani said some of them hope to return to the center, but says not all of those employees may return.
The 40 plus juveniles transferred to other facilities around the state are expected to return to Richmond’s center when it reopens in July 2013.
The facility is designed to house young offenders who’ve committed minor and violent crimes.
Rufus Fleming, Senior Deputy Director of Richmond’s Justice Services says crews are working hard to get the facility ready to reopen.
“You’re going to see not only a good facility, you’re going to see the best facility. Not only in the State. But you’re going to see the best facility in the nation,” Fleming said.
And on Friday, CBS 6 News’ Sandra Jones and her photographer were the only TV crew allowed inside to see the improvements.
In the center’s control room, Fleming says monitors are connected to new security cameras throughout the building as a safeguard.
Fleming said staff members will be using new computers to operate the intercom systems and open the cell door locks instead of the old control panels. But Fleming admitted there have been some glitches within the system.
“We’re talking about technology and there stands a possibility it could happen,” he said. “But if we were to do our systems checks on a constant basis, regular basis. We’ll know in advance if there are any problems.”
Security problems forced Mayor Jones to shutdown the facility six months ago. They included allegations of criminal misconduct, charges of mismanagement and falsifying of training records.
Seventy-two people were impacted as a result of the closure.
“We’re reviewing the types of individuals that we’re going to hire,” Fleming said. “It’s going to be a very strict and stringent application process. We would like to see one particular person dedicated to training, keeping track of records.”
Virginia’s NAACP Executive Director King Salim Khalfani blew the whistle on the center after some of employees complained about the conditions.
“They’ve been transparent,” Khalfani said. “They’ve been honest and they’ve admitted all of the problems that existed.”
Still, he believes the mayor and his administration could have fixed the problems without closing the facility. But now, he believes the city is serious about correcting the problems.
“It’s going to be a completely different ideology…,” Khalfani said. “We’re in concurrence with that because they said their motto is they want the young people to be better when they leave then where they come in. So, we can work with that.”
The 72 former employees have been assigned to other city departments. Khalfani said some of them hope to return to the center, but says not all of those employees may return.
The 40 plus juveniles transferred to other facilities around the state are expected to return to Richmond’s center when it reopens in July 2013.
2nd inmate who escaped N.J. youth correctional facility captured
HARDYSTON—
One of the two inmates who escaped from a youth detention facility in
Hunterdon County and fled using a stolen red Mercedes-Benz was captured
early this morning, according to authorities.
Michael Bentley, 23, was taken into custody around 4:45 this morning in Hardyston Township in Sussex County, according to a state Department of Corrections spokesman.
He was tracked by K-9 units from the Passaic County Sheriff's Office and State Police, said State Police spokesman Sgt. Brian Polite.
Bentley and another inmate, 21-year-old Corey Agostarola escaped from the Mountainview Youth Correctional Facility in Annandale in Clinton Township May 20. Agostarola was captured Friday night in Pine Hill, according to the Department of Corrections.
Corey Agostarola
Around 1 a.m., State Police received word from the Department of
Corrections that Bentley was traveling in a stolen Mercedes in the area
of Highway 46, Highway 3 and Highway 23 in Passaic County and heading
towards Franklin Borough in Sussex County, according to Polite.
Bentley is a borough resident, he said.
Polite said Bentley was "traveling at a high rate of speed" in the stolen sports car and State Police lost track of the vehicle.
A short while later, Hardyston police reported relocating the Mercedes but then lost sight of it as well, according to Polite.
Authorities received a report that the car was abandoned in a wooded area and then set up a perimeter in the area involving several agencies including State Police, Vernon, Franklin, Hardyston and Butler police departments, as well as assistance from Passaic County Sheriff's officers.
K-9 units from the Passaic County Sheriff's Department and State Police tracked Bentley's scent to behind a rock wall near the railroads where he was hiding, Polite said. He was found about three to four miles from the abandoned vehicle.
Authorities
captured Michael Bentley, 23, of Franklin in Sussex County early this
morning after he and another inmate at the Mountainview Youth
Correctional Facility in Annandale in Clinton Township May 20.
A dog from the Passaic sheriff's unit located Bentley, who was
arrested and charged by State Police with eluding, receiving stolen
property and being a fugitive from justice, said Polite. Polite said
Bentley could face additional charges with the corrections department,
however department officials could not be immediately reached for
comment.
Bentley suffered some dog bites during the apprehension and was taken to Newton Medical Center, said Polite.
Hospital spokeswoman Janina Hecht said Bentley was treated and released this morning. He is now in the custody of the corrections department.
Bentley was alone in the vehicle and it was unclear whether he was armed at the time. The escape is still under investigation.
At the time of their escape from the Hunterdon County facility, Agostarola had been in custody on burglary and weapons charges, while Bentley was being held on theft and burglary charges.
Michael Bentley, 23, was taken into custody around 4:45 this morning in Hardyston Township in Sussex County, according to a state Department of Corrections spokesman.
He was tracked by K-9 units from the Passaic County Sheriff's Office and State Police, said State Police spokesman Sgt. Brian Polite.
Bentley and another inmate, 21-year-old Corey Agostarola escaped from the Mountainview Youth Correctional Facility in Annandale in Clinton Township May 20. Agostarola was captured Friday night in Pine Hill, according to the Department of Corrections.
Corey AgostarolaBentley is a borough resident, he said.
Polite said Bentley was "traveling at a high rate of speed" in the stolen sports car and State Police lost track of the vehicle.
A short while later, Hardyston police reported relocating the Mercedes but then lost sight of it as well, according to Polite.
Authorities received a report that the car was abandoned in a wooded area and then set up a perimeter in the area involving several agencies including State Police, Vernon, Franklin, Hardyston and Butler police departments, as well as assistance from Passaic County Sheriff's officers.
K-9 units from the Passaic County Sheriff's Department and State Police tracked Bentley's scent to behind a rock wall near the railroads where he was hiding, Polite said. He was found about three to four miles from the abandoned vehicle.
Authorities
captured Michael Bentley, 23, of Franklin in Sussex County early this
morning after he and another inmate at the Mountainview Youth
Correctional Facility in Annandale in Clinton Township May 20.Bentley suffered some dog bites during the apprehension and was taken to Newton Medical Center, said Polite.
Hospital spokeswoman Janina Hecht said Bentley was treated and released this morning. He is now in the custody of the corrections department.
Bentley was alone in the vehicle and it was unclear whether he was armed at the time. The escape is still under investigation.
At the time of their escape from the Hunterdon County facility, Agostarola had been in custody on burglary and weapons charges, while Bentley was being held on theft and burglary charges.
TAG : Gang Awareness
TAG (Truth About Gangs) is designed to be an early intervention program
for intermediate school students, aimed at reducing gang violence and
activity in Ocean County. Special guest speakers will lecture on gangs
in our region, discuss local trends, and stress the overall influence
and impact that street gang members have on young people. Our main
objective is to prevent and deter our youths from joining gangs. We
develop strategies, options and alternatives to gang membership for the
students and share valuable information for parents and educators.
As you well know, youth gangs are linked with serious crime problems in elementary and secondary schools throughout the United States. A report issued by the U.S. Department of Education and Justice found that the percentage of students reporting the presence of gangs at school nearly doubled between 1989 and 1995. This report also found a strong correlation between the presence of gangs and both guns and drugs in schools.
Gang violence is on the rise and many gangs are using schools as recruiting grounds. Our TAG Program consists of speakers, literature and handouts, all of which inform students of the dangers and consequences associated with gang membership. Hopefully, by instilling these lessons at an early age we can persuade them from joining gangs.
Parents are the first line of defense in combating the gang problem. Many young people join gangs because they do not have a structured family life. A gang promises to give this feeling of “family” to the youth. Others join gangs due to peer pressure, excitement, money or intimidation. Whatever the reason, a parent needs to recognize the identifiers and telltale signs of gang membership in order to make every possible effort to keep the youths in their “real family”.
However, educators are equally important in shaping a youth’s life as they show the student that they not only care about them as individuals, but also about their future. Schools should not allow gang clothing, colors, or gang signs and symbols to be worn or displayed on school grounds. Zero tolerance is a policy adopted by many school districts.
The lesson learned through our program could be the deciding factor in a student’s decision to becomes a foot soldier in a gang or choose a more productive path. Peer pressure and other related factors often play into a child’s perspective about gangs. We want to drive home the message that gang membership can only lead to drugs, violence, jail or even death. If you are interested in having our program presented in your school, please contact Art Midgley, Assistant Superintendent of Volunteer Services, at 732-288-7726
As you well know, youth gangs are linked with serious crime problems in elementary and secondary schools throughout the United States. A report issued by the U.S. Department of Education and Justice found that the percentage of students reporting the presence of gangs at school nearly doubled between 1989 and 1995. This report also found a strong correlation between the presence of gangs and both guns and drugs in schools.
Gang violence is on the rise and many gangs are using schools as recruiting grounds. Our TAG Program consists of speakers, literature and handouts, all of which inform students of the dangers and consequences associated with gang membership. Hopefully, by instilling these lessons at an early age we can persuade them from joining gangs.
Parents are the first line of defense in combating the gang problem. Many young people join gangs because they do not have a structured family life. A gang promises to give this feeling of “family” to the youth. Others join gangs due to peer pressure, excitement, money or intimidation. Whatever the reason, a parent needs to recognize the identifiers and telltale signs of gang membership in order to make every possible effort to keep the youths in their “real family”.
However, educators are equally important in shaping a youth’s life as they show the student that they not only care about them as individuals, but also about their future. Schools should not allow gang clothing, colors, or gang signs and symbols to be worn or displayed on school grounds. Zero tolerance is a policy adopted by many school districts.
The lesson learned through our program could be the deciding factor in a student’s decision to becomes a foot soldier in a gang or choose a more productive path. Peer pressure and other related factors often play into a child’s perspective about gangs. We want to drive home the message that gang membership can only lead to drugs, violence, jail or even death. If you are interested in having our program presented in your school, please contact Art Midgley, Assistant Superintendent of Volunteer Services, at 732-288-7726
Top 6 Juvenile Detention Centers in America – What Makes a Juvenile Jail the Best?
There are 1,315 County Juvenile Detention Centers
in America serving 3,210 counties. On any given day they are holding
for trial or incarceration for a year or less at least 15,000 children
and young adults 17 years of age or younger. Do they actually help our
troubled children?
We want to stress that there is no ideal way to judge how these young offenders (or innocents) are being punished, treated or helped without an independent third party being on-site every minute of every day.
The researchers for Jail Exchange, after 18 months of in-depth work, were amazed at the limited amount of information about locally run juvenile jails that house offenders who are doing time for crimes ranging from truancy to murder. There is little data available to gauge how effective these juvenile detention centers are in rehabilitating and educating offenders as the agencies that attempt this each have different standards they follow.
JAIL Exchange believes that the one thing we can measure is the information that is provided to the public. We believe that an institution that provides full and complete information about their facility, practices and the programs they offer have taken a huge step in the right direction. Therefore, we developed the JAILEX Rating System, system that rates the information provided to the public and the families and loved ones of the children incarcerated. Our rating does not reflect how effective their services are in rehabilitating the juveniles.
To become a member of Jail Exchange’s Top 6 Juvenile County Detention Centers in America for 2010, a detention center had to have been rewarded our JAILEX Rating of 5.0 and meet the following criteria:
5.0 – Highest Rating: Perfect.
This facility’s online presence is captivating. The operator of this facility understands that providing complete information is essential to saving time, money and frustration for all involved, including staff and the families and friends of those incarcerated along with the taxpayer. With their content, they have provided relevant information that goes far beyond what over 99% of other facilities in the United States have done. The sheriff and/or administrators are communication experts. They are to be commended.
Top Six Juvenile County Detention Centers in America
Jails that made the ‘Top 6’ list usually provide the following information:
On the other end of the spectrum, unfortunately, are the majority of the juvenile detention centers and programs in the United States. You can actually find more information about juvenile detention centers in Iraq and Afghanistan (really!) than you can on almost 1,000 of the facilities here.
If we had to point out one state that is consistently the worst offender, we would have to award the state of Massachusetts the Gold Medal for being the worst.
Not only do they not provide ANY information about their juvenile facilities or programs, they don’t even allow the public to know how many there are, what communities they are located in or how many are being detained. There is ZERO information, yet they claim to have the best juvenile rehabilitation system in the country. Taxpayers and parents beware… the Massachusetts DYS system is ripe for abuse.
JAIL Exchange is committed to full and complete openness and transparency of all jails and prisons in the United States. The public deserves to see what they are paying for and the families deserve to have access to it. We provide every bit of information on all of the 8,906 lockups in America and provide you with every bit of information available to the public.
Fairbanks Juvenile, Alaska
Guilford County Juvenile, North Carolina
Western South Dakota Juvenile Services Center, South Dakota
Rutherford County Juvenile Detention, Tennessee
Collin County Juvenile, Texas
Cooke/Fannin/Grayson Counties Juvenile, Texas
We want to stress that there is no ideal way to judge how these young offenders (or innocents) are being punished, treated or helped without an independent third party being on-site every minute of every day.
The researchers for Jail Exchange, after 18 months of in-depth work, were amazed at the limited amount of information about locally run juvenile jails that house offenders who are doing time for crimes ranging from truancy to murder. There is little data available to gauge how effective these juvenile detention centers are in rehabilitating and educating offenders as the agencies that attempt this each have different standards they follow.
JAIL Exchange believes that the one thing we can measure is the information that is provided to the public. We believe that an institution that provides full and complete information about their facility, practices and the programs they offer have taken a huge step in the right direction. Therefore, we developed the JAILEX Rating System, system that rates the information provided to the public and the families and loved ones of the children incarcerated. Our rating does not reflect how effective their services are in rehabilitating the juveniles.
To become a member of Jail Exchange’s Top 6 Juvenile County Detention Centers in America for 2010, a detention center had to have been rewarded our JAILEX Rating of 5.0 and meet the following criteria:
5.0 – Highest Rating: Perfect.
This facility’s online presence is captivating. The operator of this facility understands that providing complete information is essential to saving time, money and frustration for all involved, including staff and the families and friends of those incarcerated along with the taxpayer. With their content, they have provided relevant information that goes far beyond what over 99% of other facilities in the United States have done. The sheriff and/or administrators are communication experts. They are to be commended.
Top Six Juvenile County Detention Centers in America
Jails that made the ‘Top 6’ list usually provide the following information:
- Website that is professionally done, updated regularly and easy to navigate..
- Clear information about the facility, staff and contact info.
- Visitation rules and schedules.
- Information on how to send mail and what is allowed.
- Information about how to deposit money for Inmates.
- Information about Inmate Services such as Programs and Rehabilitation.
- Virtual Tours and/or photos of the facility.
- Inmate Handbooks.
- Employment information for recruiting quality staff.
- Availability of information in Spanish.
On the other end of the spectrum, unfortunately, are the majority of the juvenile detention centers and programs in the United States. You can actually find more information about juvenile detention centers in Iraq and Afghanistan (really!) than you can on almost 1,000 of the facilities here.
If we had to point out one state that is consistently the worst offender, we would have to award the state of Massachusetts the Gold Medal for being the worst.
Not only do they not provide ANY information about their juvenile facilities or programs, they don’t even allow the public to know how many there are, what communities they are located in or how many are being detained. There is ZERO information, yet they claim to have the best juvenile rehabilitation system in the country. Taxpayers and parents beware… the Massachusetts DYS system is ripe for abuse.
JAIL Exchange is committed to full and complete openness and transparency of all jails and prisons in the United States. The public deserves to see what they are paying for and the families deserve to have access to it. We provide every bit of information on all of the 8,906 lockups in America and provide you with every bit of information available to the public.
Fairbanks Juvenile, Alaska
Guilford County Juvenile, North Carolina
Western South Dakota Juvenile Services Center, South Dakota
Rutherford County Juvenile Detention, Tennessee
Collin County Juvenile, Texas
Cooke/Fannin/Grayson Counties Juvenile, Texas
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