By Alyssa Mease
NJ.com
TRENTON, NJ — A corrections officer who was injured earlier this month during an attack at New Jersey State Prison was on hand today to lend support to a bill that would establish a compensation program for corrections officers who are injured on the job.
Eligia Then, a two-year veteran, was attacked by an inmate at the prison on Feb. 6. Then suffered bruising on her neck from being choked, cuts to her cheek and eyebrow, bruises on her right eye and nose, and head injuries, PBA Local 105 president Lance Lopez said.
“This assault right here was brutal enough to keep her out of work,” Lopez said. “We need the state to come in and make up the difference.”
State lawmakers have introduced a bill that would ensure corrections officers receive their full salary while recovering, Lopez said. Currently, officers must use sick or personal time for the first five days following their injury, and then worker’s compensation benefits kick in and pay 70 percent of the salary to the officers, Lopez said.
Full story: Corrections officer injured in attack at New Jersey State Prison supports bill to improve compensation