Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, March 23, 1990 TAG: 9003232859
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B3 EDITION: EVENING
SOURCE: KEVIN KITTREDGE SHENANDOAH BUREAU
DATELINE: LEXINGTON LENGTH: Medium
"I recommend the [jail] board appoint a full-time administrator," wrote Glenn Thomas, who conducted an investigation into the management of the jail. The investigation was done at the request of the Rockbridge Regional Jail Commission, which sets jail policy.
In the report, which was released Thursday, Thomas wrote that a full-time administrator could better manage and monitor the operations and better utilize the jail staff. He noted Virginia's other regional jails have separate administrators whose only duties are to run their jails.
The report also recommends changes in the jail's work-release program, visitation policies, inmate movement and religious services, among other things.
But the five-page document made no clear accusations of wrongdoing on the part of the sheriff.
"I didn't see any mismanagement there [in the report]," said Daniel Snider, chairman of the county's Board of Supervisors. "I felt that the report pretty well described things as they were. I had no reason to expect anything more, even with all the rumors that were flying."
Snider said that before forming an opinion about the sheriff/jail controversy, he wants to see the results of a current state police investigation.
That investigation - which the sheriff requested - is still under way, said J.T. Oliver, assistant special agent in charge of investigations for state police in Salem.
Meanwhile, there is disagreement over who has the authority to hire and fire a jail administrator.
Jail commission members say the authority is theirs.
Joe King, Lexington city manager and a former jail commissioner, agreed.
"From a legal point of view, the commission has the authority, period. I think the ball is in their court," King said.
Snider, however, noted that the commission is appointed by the governing bodies. Should the jail commission and the governing boards disagree over the running of the jail, he said, "It's just like all other government functions: It becomes a compromise situation."
Supervisor Charles Trimble said earlier this week that he does not think the commission can remove the sheriff from his jail post unless there is clear evidence of wrongdoing.
The jail report was released to the media during a brief commission meeting Thursday afternoon. The commission also moved to meet April 2 to seek response from the county supervisors and Lexington and Buena Vista officials about the report, said commission member Clay Goodman.
Spence, who said he had already discussed portions of the jail report with the commission, released a short written statement after the meeting.
"Mr. Thomas' recommendations as to the separating of the Sheriff's Department and the jail facility are his opinions and not what best serves the taxpayers of this area," Spence said in the statement.
The sheriff also argued that the report, which praised the jail's medical and kitchen staffs, confirmed that "this office is the professional one that the people of this county and the cities of Lexington and Buena Vista deserve."
Attempts to contact Thomas Thursday were unsuccessful. Thomas has said he will not discuss the report, said commission Chairman David DeHart.
In the report, Thomas recommended improvements in seven areas: work release, inmate processing, contact visits, inmate movement, religious services, inmate transportation and maintenance.
In the area of work-release programs, the report recommended frequent unannounced visits be made to the inmates' job locations.
Also, contact visits - if allowed - should be conducted with constant supervision, because they present an opportunity for inmates to receive contraband, the report said.
Inmates removed from the jail's security area should be handcuffed at the least, it noted, and interrogations should take place in the jail itself and not in offices nearby.
Inmates also should not be taken from the jail without a court order, except for court appearances or in a medical emergency, it said.
The report noted religious services are available to inmates at the facility, and any special services should be arranged within the jail, or by court order.
Three vehicles, including two vans for inmate transportation, also should be purchased, the report said, and transportation of prisoners should not be the responsibility of the Sheriff's Department.
In addition, instead of the jail's current practice of using two correctional officers for maintenance, the report recommended hiring one person to do the work, or contracting with vendors.
by CNB