TRENTON, N.J. – Officials are making changes to family programs in New Jersey's prisons in response to an alleged incident at the state's prison for sex offenders.
Corrections spokesman Matt Schuman says future programs will be heavily regimented and better supervised.
Events were previously held like picnics where inmates and visiting relatives were able to mingle.
Officials say 210 inmates and 534 relatives, including 116 children, attended the June 16 "family day" at the Adult Diagnostic and Treatment Center in Avenel.
Documents obtained by The Star-Ledger and The Record Statehouse bureau say convicted sex offender Claudio Gonzalez allegedly touched the 9-year-old niece of another inmate.
Gonzalez told officials he "accidentally brushed" the girl's breast while walking with her. The 23-year-old faces disciplinary charges of unauthorized physical contact and assault.
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