THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, October 10, 1996 TAG: 9610100001
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A14 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: 40 lines
The Sept. 18 news article, ``Corrections department racism alleged'' contains misinformation about me personally and the Staunton Correctional Center.
I have no complaints against the Virginia Department of Corrections, nor Ron Angelone, our director. I have worked for the Virginia Department of Corrections for 29 years, 20 in management. We have policies and procedures available to all DOC employees in the event of such complaints.
I am not acquainted with Del. Lionell Spruill, nor did I approach anyone with the complaints listed in the article.
The Virginian-Pilot made no effort to contact me regarding the article. Contrary to the newspaper's opinion, I have no restriction in responding to issues that include personal matters.
My transfer to the Staunton Correctional Center was in no way a demotion. Rather, I had requested, after seven years in a maximum-security prison, to be given the opportunity to open the medium-security Lunenburg Correctional Center.
I was assigned there for two months. At that time, however, Staunton Correctional Center didn't have a warden. The DOC made the decision to move me to Staunton Correctional Center - a decision compatible to my request and DOC needs. Staunton, at full-bed capacity, houses 750 inmates. Contrary to The Pilot article, the Geriatric Program represents a very small part of this population, with 51 inmates. The inmate population at Staunton Correctional Center is composed of general population, as well as program beds offering substance abuse, mental health and developmental disability offender treatment.
I am very proud to work for the Virginia Department of Corrections and at a facility that provides safety and security to the public and multidynamic treatment to offenders.
CHARLES E. THOMPSON, warden
Staunton Correctional Center
Staunton, Sept. 27, 1996 by CNB