Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, May 17, 1990 TAG: 9005170375
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-1 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE: By RON BROWN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
In January, Spence was accused of allowing some prisoners to go on unsupervised leave, letting them visit alone with their wives in the jail and using some prisoners to intimidate others.
The state police findings, released Wednesday by Commonwealth's Attorney Eric Sisler, did not support those allegations.
About 100 witnesses were questioned before the findings were turned over to Sisler on Monday.
The investigation was ordered by Attorney General Mary Sue Terry following a request by Spence.
"As far as we are concerned, the investigation is completely over with," said Cecil Handy, special agent in charge of general investigations for the state police in Salem.
State police were asked to focus on whether Spence had illegally used inmates or whether inmates had conspired to commit perjury against Spence.
Handy said investigators found insufficient evidence to support either allegation.
Spence said the state police investigation did not focus on whether any individual inmate, acting alone, had committed perjury.
"As long as you have that type element, these types of things are going to happen," Spence said. "Our energy has always been to combat crime, not concentrate on these allegations. We are living in a great community and we are trying to keep it that way. I'm happy that people stood up for us. I am elated to the degree that this thing is over."
State police did not investigate Spence's overall administration of the jail.
A private investigator hired by the Rockbridge Regional Jail Commission has recommended that someone other than Spence be hired to run the jail.
Glenn Thomas suggested that a full-time administrator could better manage and monitor the operation and staff. He noted that other regional jails have separate administrators whose sole duties are to run the jails.
Spence oversees patrol officers and court bailiffs as well as the jail staff.
Thomas' report also recommended changes in the work-release program, visitation policies, inmate movement and religious services, among other things.
Several sources have said that Spence, outspoken in his Christian beliefs, has taken inmates to religious services outside the jail.
The allegations festered in January during the trial of Michael Camden, who testified that he was used by the Sheriff's Department to intimidate other prisoners.
Camden's wife, Tammy, testified that her husband once was deputized by Spence. Camden is serving a nine-year prison term for malicious wounding and breaking and entering.
The Camdens contend they were left alone, sometimes for several hours, in a room at the jail with a stereo and bed. Michael Camden said he made love to his wife in several rooms at the facility.
The Camdens have said they are upset with Spence, a longtime acquaintance and godfather of their child, because he reneged on a promise to try to cut Camden's sentence.
Spence denies making that promise.
by CNB