SUNBURY - A correctional officer at Northumberland County Prison has been suspended with pay pending the completion of a fact-finding probe being conducted by prison officials.
A recommendation to take disciplinary action against the guard was made by prison operations commander Brian Wheary during an emergency 90-minute executive session of the prison board Wednesday at the county administration center.
The suspension represents the latest black mark for the prison. Last month, two inmates filed lawsuits against prison personnel for alleged beatings, and seven correctional officers have been fired since June 25 for various reasons.
Commissioner Stephen Bridy, prison board chairman, who signed a letter to suspend the correctional officer, said he couldn't identify the employee because it was a personnel issue that remains under investigation. "I really can't say anything else at this time," Bridy said.
He said it's the prison board's responsibility to fire and hire personnel and issue suspensions.
Prison board members said they couldn't provide any details surrounding the suspension due to the matter being discussed in executive session. An unconfirmed report received by The News-Item indicated a complaint was lodged against the correctional officer for allegedly assaulting an inmate and providing him with medication for an alleged neck injury suffered in the assault.
Prison board members attending the 11:45 a.m. executive session were Commissioners Bridy, Vinny Clausi and Richard Shoch, Sheriff Chad Reiner and President Judge Robert B. Sacavage. Also participating were prison board solicitor John Muncer, county chief clerk Gary Steffen, human resources director Joseph Picarelli and Wheary, who was summoned to the session at 12:30 p.m.
Upon walking out of the meeting at 12:50 p.m., Clausi could be heard saying, "I'm out of here. This is disgusting."
Two others members of the prison board - District Attorney Tony Rosini and Controller Tony Phillips - were not in attendance. Rosini said he wasn't notified about the executive session, while Phillips was unable to attend because he's recovering from surgery. Bridy said Warden Roy Johnson was not in attendance because he's on vacation.
Bridy said later Wednesday he notified each of the prison board members about the executive session via email at 12:07 p.m. Monday, which would satisfy the time requirements of the Sunshine Act that agency members be notified 24 hours in advance of an executive session. He provided a copy of his email, which read: "The Northumberland County solicitor has recommended that an executive session be held prior to our next advertised meeting. This executive session is to discuss personnel and litigation matters. This executive session will be held at the administration building in the public meeting room on Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2012, at 11:45 a.m. Please respond as to who will be able to attend."
According to the Sunshine Act, an executive session may be held during an open meeting, at the conclusion of an open meeting or may be announced for a future time. If an executive session is not announced for a future specific time, the law requires that members of the agency be notified 24 hours in advance of the time of the convening of the meeting.
Bridy, Clausi and the county were sued last month by David F. Kaleta, 54, of Shamokin, and one of the claims is that they violated the Sunshine Act when they decided to bar him from county-owned Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area property. Northumberland County Judge Charles Saylor ruled there was a violation, and the county has appealed that ruling to federal court.