What to Expect During a Video Call at Edna Mahan: Privacy, Timing, and Day‑of Process
Video calls at Edna Mahan work like scheduled, private appointments—not open-ended conversations. Here's what to expect around confidentiality, who can be present, timing, and what to do if something goes wrong.
Under the NJDOC videoconference program, communications between an inmate and outside agency personnel (or someone acting on that agency's behalf) are treated as privileged and confidential. What's said during the session is meant to stay private.
Note: NJDOC treats video-link communications between the inmate and outside agency personnel as privileged and confidential, and they are intended to remain private.
No third person should be present or within hearing distance during an inmate's videoconference - including correctional officers. The only exception: both the inmate and their attorney (or court officer) must acknowledge and authorize in writing that an additional person may be present.
Reminder: Any exception to “no third person present/within hearing distance” requires written authorization from both the inmate and the inmate’s attorney or court officer.
On the facility side, the inmate sits alone in a specially constructed videoconferencing booth or room. The space is sound-dampened so normal conversation can't be heard outside, and outside noise shouldn't interfere with the call.
Sessions are staged ahead of time. The videoconferencing post officer makes sure the correct inmate is in the waiting area at least ten minutes before the scheduled conference.
Before the videoconference begins, the post officer (or a designee) advises state-sentenced inmates that the session is confidential and obtains a signed Inmate Consent Form. If your call seems delayed, this consent step may be part of the behind-the-scenes process.
NJDOC videoconferences run Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Keep this window in mind when coordinating with an attorney, court, or agency that has its own scheduling constraints.
Late-day sessions are handled carefully. When possible, videoconferences begin no later than one hour before closing time - this helps prevent sessions from getting cut short at the end of the day.
Time limit: No videoconference with an NJDOC institution will be scheduled to terminate later than 4:00 PM.
- Write down what happened - document the suspected breach in writing (what you observed, when it happened, and who was involved).
- Report it within 48 hours - provide written notice to the participating agency and also notify NJDOC in writing within 48 hours of the event.
Confidentiality violations are taken seriously - serious enough to jeopardize the entire program. Any breach of confidentiality provisions could be grounds for termination of the Video Teleconferencing Program by any of the parties involved.
- ✓ Write a clear, dated account of what you believe happened and when
- ✓ Notify the participating agency in writing within 48 hours of the event
- ✓ Notify NJDOC in writing within 48 hours of the event
- ✓ Keep copies of everything you send (and any replies you receive)
For day-of issues with scheduling or connecting at Edna Mahan, contact the facility's videoconference coordinators: Nicole Berberena (908-735-7111 x 3634, nicole.berberena@doc.nj.gov), Kimberly Hawk (908-735-7111 x 3611, kimberly.hawk@doc.nj.gov), or Debra Magyar (908-735-3603, debra.magyar@doc.nj.gov).
For bigger issues or program-level concerns, contact the NJDOC Videoconferencing Program Office (Office of Information Technology, New Jersey Department of Corrections). Mailing address: P.O. Box 863, Trenton, NJ 08625. Phone: 609-826-5642. Fax: 609-984-8284.
- ✓ Contact an Edna Mahan videoconference coordinator first for immediate, day-of connection/scheduling issues
- ✓ If it’s a system-level concern or the problem can’t be resolved, contact the NJDOC Videoconferencing Program Office
- ✓ Keep a short written timeline of what happened (times, names, and what you were told)
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