When the power failed at Logan Hall, a sprawling halfway house in Newark, N.J., that resembles a prison, the rooms went dark.

Then the locks clicked open.

What happened next is likely to fuel the debate over the future of the large, privately run halfway houses in New Jersey, which have been criticized for mismanagement and lax oversight.

As Hurricane Sandy raged outside, dozens of male inmates burst into Logan Hall’s corridors. They threatened female inmates, tore apart furniture and ripped signs inscribed with inspirational sayings from the walls, witnesses said.

At least 15 inmates escaped from the halfway house, including some who had served time for aggravated assault, weapons possession and armed robbery.

It was one of the largest mass escapes in the recent history of New Jersey’s corrections system, according to official statistics. All but one of the escapees have since been recaptured.

After the violence broke out Oct. 29, about 50 law enforcement officers from at least four state and county agencies converged on Logan Hall, officials said. Many were called at home and told to report immediately to the halfway house.

Utilities still working on power

Utility companies continued to make progress Sunday in restoring electrical service in New York and New Jersey, but more than 125,000 customers still remained without power almost two weeks after Hurricane Sandy hit the region.

With another day of nice weather, workers expected more customers to be brought back online by Sunday night, but Long Island remained a sticking point. And while gas rationing remained in effect, lines appeared to be shorter in many areas of New York City. Some routes on the Long Island Rail Road and PATH rail service were also expected to resume today.

— New York Times News Service