Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, March 17, 1990 TAG: 9003172342
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A3 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE: KEVIN KITTREDGE SHENANDOAH BUREAU
DATELINE: LEXINGTON LENGTH: Medium
Until then, commissioners are keeping a tight rein on the report, which was to address allegations of jail staff misconduct, including the improper release of inmates.
The commission had asked for an investigation in late January after allegations surfaced in court and in the media that inmates had been let out of the jail unsupervised and were allowed conjugal visits in jail offices and cells.
The allegations centered on Sheriff F.M. "Freddie" Spence, who runs the jail.
The investigation was to focus on jail management and policy issues, and turn over any evidence of criminal wrongdoing to state police. Also under way is a state police investigation requested by Spence himself, who said earlier that he was "excited about being exonerated in this thing."
The commission's investigation was conducted by an independent investigator.
As for the substance of the report, copies of which were given to commission members Tuesday, there has still been no official statement. Commission member Clay Goodman said the panel met Tuesday with Spence in an executive session to discuss the report.
The commission on Friday called Spence into an executive session again, and excluded reporters for the duration of its 3 1/2-hour meeting at the jail.
Goodman said the privacy was justified because the commission was discussing a personnel matter. Spence decline to comment after the meeting.
The jail was built two years ago to serve Rockbridge County and its cities and towns. The commission was created to set jail policy.
Commission members are Goodman, Buena Vista's city manager; Dave DeHart, vice president of First American Bank; Lexington Police Chief Bruce Beard; Bill Knick, Glasgow's town manager; and Clark King, a professor at Virginia Military Institute.
by CNB