38
NEW JERSEY COPS n MARCH 2014
Corrections needed
State Corrections
Local 105 calls for
support of
legislation that
would take care of
assaulted officers.
n BY DONNA WEAVER
n PHOTOS BY CATHERINE STROUD
Top right, NJ State PBA President Tony Wieners
speaks at the new conference at State Corrections
Local 105 headquarters to advocate for equal
rights for corrections officers. Top, Corrections
Officer Eligia Then was assaulted in March and has
not been able to return to work.
As Corrections Officer Eligia Then sits out of work, recovering from a
brutal attack by an inmate in February at New Jersey State Prison, PBA
Local 105 has a message for the legislature and the state of New Jersey: it’s
time to keep NJ corrections officers from taking a beating, physically and
financially.
Then attended a Feb. 20 press conference held at Local 105 headquarters in Trenton, but was unable to speak because an investigation continues into the assault. Also at the press conference was 11-year veteran
Senior Corrections Officer Maurice Marcyves, who six months ago was
kicked in the eye and assaulted by inmates at the Avenel Diagnostic and
Treatment Center. Marcyves remains on medical leave, suffering from
headaches and other medical ailments as a result of his injuries as he continues physical therapy.
Assemblyman Charles Mainor of Jersey City, who joined the officers, NJ
State PBA President Tony Wieners, Local 105 President Lance Lopez and
other PBA officials, told those at the press conference that if New Jersey
is going to have law enforcement officers protect the public, then the state
has to protect them.
“It’s unfortunate that this young lady and this young gentleman had to
go through this, and now sit at home and can’t take care of their families,”
Mainor said
Then’s fiancé, William Watkins, said during the press conference that she
is not an individual who doesn’t want to work, and she hasn’t been the
same since the incident.
“Since this happened she has been very emotional and at night she
wakes up and cries,” explained Watkins. “We took the corrections test
together and I wish I had been there to help her.”
Local 105 called the news conference to stress that Then’s assault high-