A former senior correctional police officer at Northern State Prison pleaded guilty Monday to accepting thousands of dollars in bribes to smuggle contraband into the Newark facility.
Christopher Santana, 33, of Hackensack, admitted to one count of second-degree conspiracy to commit bribery during a hearing before Superior Court Judge Michael Ravin in Newark.
Under a plea agreement with the state Office of Public Integrity and Accountability, prosecutors will recommend a three-year state prison sentence. Santana forfeited $4,500 in alleged bribe payments and his right to public employment and will be permanently barred from holding a government job or public office in New Jersey…