NJ Police Group Sues Essex County Freeholders, Private Firm

The New Jersey State Policemen's Benevolent Association has filed a lawsuit that seeks to end a contract between Essex County and a private company that operates halfway houses.

The suit filed Monday alleges that Delaney Hall, a Newark facility operated by Education Health Centers of America, is jeopardizing public safety. It also questions the nonprofit status of the firm, which has a sub-contracting arrangement with the for-profit Community Education Centers.

The suit alleges that Essex County moves inmates to a lower-security facility run by EHCA in order to use its county jail space for a more lucrative federal detainee contract.

After-hours messages left for EHCA and CEC officials on Tuesday night were not returned.