A former corrections officer in New Jersey has been sentenced to three years in state prison for assaulting a patient. Giuseppe Mandara, 55, a veteran officer with the New Jersey Department of Corrections, pleaded guilty in December 2024 to third-degree aggravated assault.
The incident took place at the Adult Diagnostic and Treatment Center (ADTC) in Woodbridge, specifically in the Special Treatment Unit (STU). Mandara was sentenced by Superior Court Judge Thomas K. Isenhour on February 21, 2025, in Elizabeth, New Jersey.
Mandara, who worked as a corrections officer for 15 years, is expected to begin serving his prison term in March. Along with the prison sentence, the plea agreement also stipulates that Mandara will be banned from future public office positions in New Jersey. This decision came after the case was investigated by the Office of Public Integrity & Accountability (OPIA).
While the victim of the assault, who remains unnamed, later passed away due to a stroke, a state grand jury decided not to pursue homicide charges against Mandara. The grand jury concluded that the medical examiner’s findings did not provide enough evidence to support a murder charge related to the victim’s death.
The assault occurred on August 23, 2019, in the West Housing Unit’s sally port at the STU. According to court documents, the altercation began with a verbal argument between Mandara and the victim. After the argument, the victim walked away to an assigned work area.
In a fit of anger, Mandara removed his duty belt, which contained essential items such as facility keys and a radio, and followed the victim. The investigation revealed that Mandara was so enraged that he left his security tools unguarded without concern.
Mandara caught up with the victim despite an attempt by another corrections officer to intervene. The confrontation turned physical, and Mandara took the victim to the ground before punching him multiple times. Mandara admitted that his actions were excessive and unjustified, acknowledging that he intended to cause significant harm to the victim.
Mandara’s sentence and conviction reflect the state’s stance on misconduct within correctional facilities. Authorities are sending a clear message that they will not tolerate the abuse of power by corrections officers. The case serves as a reminder of the ongoing efforts by the Office of Public Integrity & Accountability to hold public officials accountable and protect the integrity of the corrections system.
Deputy Attorneys General Amy Knutsen and Peter Choy handled the prosecution, working under the supervision of OPIA Executive Director Skinner. Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin praised the efforts of the investigative teams involved in bringing Mandara to justice.
The state’s commitment to maintaining public trust in its correctional system remains strong, and this case highlights the importance of accountability within law enforcement and correctional institutions.
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