Fayette prison board takes no action against jail administration
After more than a two hour executive session to discuss personnel matters tied to the county jail administration, the Fayette County Prison Board took no action and offered little reason as to why the top staff was being scrutinized.
The board met for its regular meeting Wednesday, but did not conclude the initial executive session, opting to reconvene Friday, stating that further investigation was needed to come to a decision in the personnel matter.
Commissioner Vincent Zapotosky who had initiated the executive session, said he would not discuss what took place behind closed doors.
“It was personal in nature and therefore I have no comment,” he said.
Warden Brian Miller was the only member of the prison administrative staff to attend the meeting Friday and declined comment about what transpired in the closed door session, only stating that he did not take part in the bulk of the meeting, but was later called in to answer questions.
Commissioner Angela M. Zimmerlink confirmed that the topic of discussion centered on personnel issues and “more than one individual was discussed” for disciplinary action.
“(The executive session) began with there was going to be action taken,” she said.
Zimmerlink added that the while there was no vote taken, the majority of those in attendance initially did agree that discipline was warranted.
In addition to Zimmerlink and Zapotosky, Commissioner Al Ambrosini and Controller Jeanine Wrona were present with Sheriff Gary Brownfield participating in the discussion via telephone.
District Attorney Jack Heneks joined the executive session later.
“One individual said, ‘I want to have additional review…additional investigations,'” said Zimmerlink. “Everyone else said ‘no,’ (that there should be) disciplinary action taken against these two individuals.”
Following the discussion, Miller was called in to answer various questions, she added.
Zimmerlink said that the discussion did not include termination of either of the employees.
“We asked the warden specific questions about his role and the people under him,” said Zimmerlink.
The conclusion not to discipline the two unidentified administrators was not one that she supported.
“Based on all the information that we have accumulated in the past two to three years, in my opinion, we should have taken action today,” she said. “We had a consensus that something should be done, but then that shifted.
“I hope those that decided to shift roll up their sleeves and do something because I’ve been here and done that.
“You can’t (continue to have the excuse) that it is this person or that person; the court system or adult probation is the problem. Matters can be resolved.”