UPDATE: On March 7, 2023, the Court entered an Order enforcing litigants’ rights and establishing new deadlines for payment of outstanding claims. A copy of the Order is available on the Court Documents page of this website. Settlement Awards to timely and valid Tier 2 and Tier 3 claims were issued on July 14, 2023. Please allow up to 14 days for delivery.
Settlement Information
The plaintiffs in the Lawsuit allege that all female prisoners at EMCFW were subjected to a pattern and practice of sexual abuse and harassment by NJDOC staff since 2014 and that NJDOC administrators failed to prevent, halt or remedy such conduct. NJDOC and its representatives deny any wrongdoing and deny the claims and allegations asserted in the Lawsuit. The court has not ruled on the merits of the plaintiffs’ claims and has made no determination of violations or liability against the defendants. The parties nevertheless have agreed to settle the Lawsuit.
Class Members who timely submit a valid approved claim are entitled to compensation. The deadline for submitting a claim is January 10, 2022.
Who Is A Class Member?
Class Members include only those women who were incarcerated at EMCFW for one day or more starting at any time since January 1, 2014 and who has never filed a lawsuit or tort claims notice against NJDOC or prison officials for claims relating to sexual harassment, sexual abuse, hostile environment based on sexually improper conduct or gender discrimination or retaliation for reporting such conduct at EMCFW.
Your Legal Rights and Options
Option and Deadline |
Your Legal Rights |
Submit a Claimdeadline passed |
Receive a payment as part of the Settlement Class.
This is the only way to get a payment from the Settlement. You can submit a valid and timely claim form by mail (as described in Question 9 of the FAQ page). If you do not submit a claim, you will not receive any compensation but you still will be bound by the release under the class settlement agreement. A description of available benefits to Settlement Class Members can be found in Question 5 of the FAQ page and in the Class Notice. |
Exclude Yourself (Opt Out)deadline passed |
Remove yourself from the Settlement Class, and receive no payment.
You may choose to opt out of the Class Settlement Agreement. You must complete the Opt-Out Form, sign it, and mail it to the Settlement Administrator on or before January 10, 2022. If you opt out, you will not receive any compensation but you will not be bound by the release under the Class Settlement Agreement. |
Object to the Settlementdeadline passed |
Remain in the Settlement Class, but explain why the Settlement is unfair or inadequate.
If you are a Class member, you can object to any part of the Settlement if you do not think it is fair, reasonable, or adequate. You may file a written objection no later than September 14, 2021. If you want to be heard orally in opposition to the settlement, either personally or through counsel, you must indicate your intention to appear at the hearing in your written objection. |
Attend the Fairness Hearingdeadline passed |
If you submit a written objection, you may ask to speak in Court about your opinion of the Settlement Agreement. |
Do Nothingno deadline |
Receive no payment.
If you do not file a claim or opt out by January 10, 2022, you will not receive any compensation but you still will be bound by the release under the Class Settlement Agreement. |
Dates and Deadlines
Claim Deadline
Postmarked by
January 10, 2022
Exclusion Deadline
Postmarked by
January 10, 2022
Objection Deadline
Postmarked by
September 14, 2021
Fairness Hearing
1:30 PM on
October 15, 2021