Ex-Corrections Officer Sentenced to Three Years for Assaulting Resident at Special Treatment Unit

Fifteen-year DOC veteran forfeits public employment after pleading guilty to aggravated assault.

NEW JERSEY – A former New Jersey Department of Corrections officer has been sentenced to three years in state prison for aggravated assault on a resident of the Adult Diagnostic and Treatment Center (ADTC)’s Special Treatment Unit (STU) in Woodbridge, Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Office of Public Integrity & Accountability (OPIA) announced. Giuseppe Mandara, 55, a 15-year veteran of the DOC at the time of the incident, pleaded guilty in December 2024 to third-degree aggravated assault.

“Rather than following his training and de-escalating this situation, the defendant enflamed a verbal dispute into a physical confrontation,” said Drew Skinner, Executive Director of OPIA. “He subsequently concocted a false narrative claiming that his actions were self-defense. Unnecessary and excessive uses of force against those in custody will not be taken lightly, and the defendant will now be held to account.”

On February 21, 2025, Superior Court Judge Thomas K. Isenhour imposed the three-year sentence at the Union County Courthouse in Elizabeth. Mandara, who is from Brick, New Jersey, must surrender in March to begin serving his term.

• Public Employment Forfeiture: Under the plea deal, Mandara is also disqualified from future public office or employment in the state.
• No Homicide Charges: Although the victim died of a stroke several days later, a state grand jury did not initiate homicide charges in connection with the death, based on findings by the medical examiner.

Details of the Incident

According to court documents, evidence presented, and Mandara’s own testimony:

• Date and Location: August 23, 2019, inside the West Housing Unit’s sally port at the STU.
• Verbal Argument: The encounter began with a dispute at Mandara’s desk, after which the victim walked away to an assigned work area.
• Escalation: Mandara removed his duty belt—which contained critical security tools like facility keys and a radio—and followed the victim. Investigators noted Mandara’s anger was so extreme that “he simply did not care” about leaving these items unguarded.
• Physical Assault: Despite another corrections officer’s attempt to block him, Mandara caught up to the victim, engaged in a physical confrontation, and ultimately took the victim to the ground. Mandara then punched the victim repeatedly.
• Plea Admission: As part of his guilty plea, Mandara conceded his use of force was excessive, unjustified, and intended to cause significant bodily injury.

The victim, whose name was not disclosed, suffered a fatal stroke several days later. In accordance with state law, the Attorney General’s Office convened a state grand jury, which concluded there was insufficient basis to bring homicide charges against Mandara in connection with the death.

Deputy Attorneys General Amy Knutsen and Peter Choy prosecuted the case on behalf of OPIA, under the supervision of OPIA Executive Director Skinner. Attorney General Platkin lauded the efforts of the investigative teams.

“This needless, unprofessional attack was inconsistent with the years of experience and training that this officer had. In a moment of rage, he lost sight of his responsibilities and his position and set out to simply inflict excessive physical harm,” said Attorney General Platkin. “This type of conduct undermines the good work done every day by other law enforcement officers to uphold the law and ensure public safety across New Jersey. My office is committed to ensuring that people who are in custody are not subjected to abuse, violence, or violations of their rights by those representing the State.”

By incarcerating Mandara, state officials aim to demonstrate zero tolerance for corrections officers who misuse their authority. The incident also underscores ongoing efforts by the Office of Public Integrity & Accountability to identify and prosecute illegal conduct within correctional institutions to ensure safety and uphold public trust.