By: Richard L. Smith
Joshua Hand, a 34-year-old former corrections officer from Millville, pleaded guilty to depriving two inmates of their civil rights at Bayside State Prison in Leesburg.
U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced the admission, which took place in Camden federal court before U.S. District Judge Karen M. Williams.
Hand, accused of failing to intervene during inmate assaults in December 2019, admitted to witnessing and not reporting the attacks.
In one instance, federal officials said he watched several inmates simultaneously assault a victim in the prison's officers’ quarters. In a separate incident on the same day,
Hand was present when another officer struck a second inmate with a broomstick.
The charges, reflecting a breach of the inmates' rights to be free from cruel and unusual punishment, carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a potential fine of up to $250,000 or double the gross amount of financial gain or loss resulting from the offense.
Hand's sentencing is scheduled for July 2, 2024.
