New Jersey Juvenile Medium Security Facility Sex Abuse Lawsuits

On this page, we will look at sex abuse lawsuits involving youth inmates at the New Jersey Juvenile Medium Security Facility (JMSF) in Bordentown, NJ. These lawsuits are brought by former juvenile inmates at JNSF who were sexually abused by correctional officers or staff at the facility. The lawsuits seek to hold the state liable for negligently failing to protect juvenile inmates from sexual abuse and assault.

Our national sex abuse lawyers are currently accepting New Jersey juvenile detention center sex abuse lawsuits involving JMSF and other facilities. If you were the victim of sexual abuse or assault at a JMSF, call us today at 800-553-8082 or contact us online.

About Juvenile Medium Security Facility

New Jersey’s Juvenile Medium Security Facility (JMSF) is located in Bordentown , New Jersey and can hold around 260 inmates between the aged of 12-21 (although most inmates are 15-17 years old). The term “medium security” is very misleading because NJSF is actually the highest security level juvenile detention center in the state of New Jersey. NJSF receives juvenile offenders who have been convicted of the most serious or violate crimes.

The JMSF North Compound can accommodate 118 juvenile inmates in two large housing units. The juveniles in the North Compound are houses in security conditions very similar to adult prison. The South Compound at JMSF has six housing “pods” which each holds up to 24 juvenile inmates.

Both compounds at NJSF are serviced by a host of staff members including, custody officers, social workers, mental health clinicians, nurses, youth workers, substance abuse counselors and certified teachers. In addition to mandatory education, juvenile inmates at NJSF receive on-site mental health counseling, education, social services, and primary medical care.

Racial and Demographic Inequities at JMSF

JMSF has been widely criticized for racial and socio-economic disparities. Statewide, New Jersey has the highest Black to white youth incarceration disparity rate in the country, with a Black youth 21 times more likely to be locked up than a white youth. This disparity is even more pronounced at JMSF where the juvenile inmates are almost all black.

JMSF has also be criticized for its outdated focus on punishment over education and rehabilitation. JMSF is essentially a prison for younger offenders. Inmates are held in cells and their movements are highly restricted, just like in an adult prison.

Sexual Abuse at JMSF

New Jersey’s juvenile detention centers have a long history of sexual abuse of inmates. JMSF and other juvenile detention centers in the state are operated by the New Jersey Juvenile Justice Commission (NJJC). NJJC has systemically neglected its legal obligation to protect juvenile inmates at it facilities. These issues have been extensively documented over the years as juvenile detention facilities in New Jersey and other states have faced increased scrutiny, investigations, and civil lawsuits.

NJJC has operated JMSF in a negligent manner, allowing sexual abuse of detainees to occur regularly with little to no oversight or intervention. Staff-on-inmate sexual abuse facilities like JMSF is not an isolated issue. A lack of oversight, inadequate monitoring, insufficient training, and chronic understaffing created an environment where sexual predators could victimize juvenile inmates without fear of consequences.

One of NJJC’s most egregious failures was its consistent disregard for credible complaints from inmates about abusive or inappropriate conduct by staff. When juvenile inmates reported abuse by correctional officers, their complaints were often dismissed, ignored, or never properly investigated. In some cases, the administration actively protected the alleged abusers or attempted to cover up the misconduct.

Civil Lawsuits for Sexual Abuse of Juvenile Inmates in New Jersey

The New Jersey Juvenile Justice Commission (NJJC) has a legal duty to take reasonable measures to protect juvenile inmates at JMSF from sexual abuse and assault. This responsibility extends beyond preventing abuse by staff to also ensuring inmates are safeguarded from harm by other detainees. To fulfill this obligation, NJJC was required to establish, implement, and enforce policies and procedures designed to prevent sexual abuse.

However, growing evidence indicates that NJJC systematically failed in this duty at JMSF. Despite prior reports of abuse, state authorities and facility staff did not take sufficient action to prevent further harm. This negligence included inadequate staff supervision, weak policies, insufficient employee training, and a failure to implement effective safety measures.

As a result, NJJC can be held legally accountable in civil lawsuits. Anyone who suffered sexual abuse while incarcerated in a New Jersey juvenile detention center has the right to pursue legal action against NJJC for negligently allowing the abuse to occur.

Identification of the Abuser

Many victims of sexual abuse or assault at juvenile facilities like JMSF assume that they need to be able to name the staff member who abused them in order to file a lawsuit. That is definitely NOT true. Abuse victims at JMSF are not required to know the full name and identify of the person or persons who sexually abused them. A civil lawsuit can be filed based on a generalized description of the abuser. After filing the lawsuit, the victim and their attorneys can gather additional information through discovery, which may help identify the perpetrator.

While identifying the abuser is not required to bring a successful case, naming them can significantly strengthen the claim. This is especially true if the individual has a documented history of misconduct at the facility, such as prior complaints of abuse or inappropriate behavior. A case becomes even stronger if the named abuser was later charged with criminal sexual offenses.

Settlement Value of JMSF Sex Abuse Lawsuits

The compensation awarded in a successful juvenile detention center sexual abuse lawsuit depends on several key factors. Below are the primary considerations that can affect the potential settlement amount:

Severity of Abuse: The extent of the abuse suffered by the victim plays a significant role in determining compensation. Cases involving diagnosed physical injuries, PTSD, depression, anxiety, or other mental health conditions often result in higher settlements. However, even without documented injuries, strong claims can be supported by expert testimony from psychologists or psychiatrists evaluating the abuse’s impact.

Supporting Evidence: The victim’s testimony can be enough to establish that abuse occurred, additional supporting evidence can significantly increase the settlement value. Proving that the detention center or its staff were negligent in preventing the abuse is crucial. Demonstrating systemic failures in the institution’s policies and procedures can also strengthen the case and lead to higher compensation.

Age of the Victim: Younger victims often receive higher settlements due to the lasting impact of trauma on their development and future well-being. The younger the victim at the time of the abuse, the greater the potential for long-term psychological and emotional consequences.

Identification of Abuser: As discussed above, identifying the person who committed the sexual abuse is not necessary. However, if the victim is able to identify their abuser it will strengthen their case, especially if that individual had a history of misconduct.

Contact Us About JMSF Sex Abuse Lawsuits

We are accepting New Jersey Juvenile Medium Security Facility sex abuse lawsuits. Call us at 800-553-8082 or contact us online.