HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOMM - Meeting Minutes - 32-P - 6-23-1982 - PRISON BOARD119
MINUTE BOOK
PRISON BOARD WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Minute No. 32-P
Washington County Prison Board
Washington, Pa., June 23, 1982
A Special Meeting of -the Washington County Prison Board was held on Wednesday, June 23,
1982, in the 7th Floor Conference Room of the Courthouse Square Office Building, Washington,
Pennsylvania, with the following members being present: Judge Sweet, Commissioners Mascara,
Gilmore and Paluso, Controller Beharry, District Attorney Bigi and Deputy Sheriff Littleton (who
was representing Sheriff Fazzoni who was out of town). Also being present: Chief Clerk Dallator6,
Lou Lignelli, Acting Director of Property & Supplies; Linda Hands, Clerk -Steno II; Jim Jefferson
of WJPA; and Bryon Sm`alek of The Observer -Reporter. (Meeting began at approximately 11:30 a.m.)
Chairman Mascara called the meeting to order and stated that the purpose of this meeting
was to take appropriate action in connection with the rape incident which occurred at the Jail on'
January 8, 1982. Chairman Mascara therefore entertained motions in this regard.
Moved by Judge Sweet, seconded by Mr. Bigi, to suspend the four guards who were on duty
the night of said incident (Russell Crupe, Charles Loughman, John Cox and Donald Lewis) for a
period of 45 days.
Roll call vote taken:
Judge Sweet - Yes; Miss Beharry - Yes; Mr. Bigi - Yes; Mr. Littleton - Yes;
Mr. Gilmore - Yes; Mr. Paluso - Yes; Mr. Mascara - Yes.
Motion carried unanimously.
Chairman Mascara then asked if there were any other motions.
Chairman (Mascara then relinquished the Chair to Vice -Chairman Paluso for the purpose of
making a motion. The new Chairman then recognized Mr. Mascara.
Moved by Mr. Mascara, seconded by Miss Beharry, that the Board fire the Warden.
Roll call vote taken:
Judge Sweet - Yes; Miss Beharry - Yes; Mr. Bigi - Yes; Mr. Littleton - Yes;
Mr. Gilmore - Yes; Mr. Paluso - Yes; Mr. Mascara - Yes.
Motion carried unanimously.
Vice -Chairman Paluso then relinquished the Chair back to Chairman Mascara.
Judge Sweet then recommended that the Board take some mild action against Correctional
Officer Obed Lewis who was acting Desk Sergeant on the night of the rape incident. Judge Sweet
stated that he should be at least admonished or reprimanded and an appropriate notation made on
his record that he did not show adequate judgment in sitting on the serious report of a felony
for 8-9 hours. Some discussion followed.
Moved by Judge Sweet, seconded by Mr. Bigi, to reprimand Correctional Officer Obed Lewis
as per above.
Roll call vote taken:
Judge Sweet - Yes; Miss Beharry - Yes; Mr. Bigi - Yes; Mr. Littleton - Yes;
Mr. Gilmore - Yes; Mr. Paluso - Yes; Mr. Mascara - Yes.
Motion carried unanimously.
F1
1
11
120
MINUTE BOOK
PRISON BOARD WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
iw..a.a w.a... v.M Y YWNYM. IA.
Chairman Mascara briefly explained the proposed contingency plan to be used during the
suspensions, i.e., the State Police has been notified and is on call to assist in any way possiblo;
the County Sheriff's Office is prepared to assist by use of Deputies and Special Deputies, if
necessary; and the hiring of five per diem Correctional Officers for the duration of the suspension
period.
The matter was brought up of appointing an Acting Warden.
Moved by Judge Sweet, seconded by Mr. Paluso, that Deputy Warden Poland act in the
capacity of Acting Warden until further notice.
Roll call vote taken:
Judge Sweet - Yes; Miss Beharry - Yes; Mr. Bigi - Yes; Mr. Littleton - Yes;
Mr. Gilmore - Yes; Mr. Paluso - Yes; Mr. Mascara - Yes.
Motion carried unanimously.
Chairman Mascara then appointed Judge Sweet and Commissioners Gilmore and Paluso to serve
on a Search Committee (along with himself who will serve in an ex-officio capacity as a member of`
the Committee) to select a new warden.
(Chairman Mascara left the meeting to notify Warden Oleski of the above action; he therefore
turned over the Chair to Vice -Chairman Paluso.)
Controller Beharry noted that it wasn't solely the rape incident at the jail that result-
ed in the termination of the Warden. She asked the other Board members if they felt it necessary,
to note any other events which culminated to this termination. The Board was in agreement that
it was not necessary to do so.
The matter was brought up as to when the termination and suspensions would be effective.
Moved by Judge Sweet, seconded by Mr. Bigi, amending the original motion to suspend the
four guards to take effect at 3:00 p.m. today; this action was based on the recommendation of
Lou Lignelli, Acting Director of Property & Supplies, who supervises the Warden and the Jail.
All members consented to this amendment.
Moved by Mr. Bigi, seconded by Miss Beharry, that the termination of the Warden be
effective immediately.
Roll call vote taken:
Judge Sweet - Yes; Miss Beharry - Yes; Mr. Bigi - Yes; Mr. Littleton - Yes;
Mr. Gilmore - Yes; Mr. Paluso - Yes.
Motion carried unanimously.
Meeting adjourned at approximately 11:45 a.m.
THE FOREGOING MINUTES READ AND APPROVED:
June 28 1982
ATTEST:'
- SECRETARY