Indian Head woman critical of prison progress
An Indian Head woman is alleging the delay by Fayette County commissioners to address the antiquated prison will ultimately lead to a more costly end to the county.
Geraldine Lowe, a nurse and mother of a former county prison inmate, has attended numerous commission and prison board meetings over the past months, offering comment about any improvements or lack of attention to the antiquated lockup.
At its recent prison board meeting, she blasted the panel, particularly Commissioners Vincent Vicites and Angela M. Zimmerlink for their lengthy tenure that has produced little action to improve the living conditions of the prison inmates, or the working conditions of the employees.
“You have been here a decade,” she said. “(We have heard about a) new jail, repairs, but when does it all happen?”
The board had just learned that a contractor was completing roof work over the prison and the interior work had begun.
Lowe said the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is in contact with her son, and the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) has filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Justice, which could adversely impact the county if legal action is taken by one or both of the agencies.
“You people need a fire lit under you,” she said. “You all contribute to the recidivism and the crime rate in this county because you have allowed this to go on for decades and not helped these inmates and these corrections officers.”
The antiquated prison conditions, Lowe said, indicates a lack of compassion on the part of the officials and prevents an inmate from transforming their lives from that of a criminal to a productive citizen.
Vicites said that a prison assessment study now underway will allow the county to have the information it needs to make decisions that will ease overcrowding, address recidivism and improve the prison conditions.
Last month, Vicites and Commissioner Dave Lohr agreed to hire CGL Companies to conduct a population analysis at a costs of $50,000.
Zimmerlink voted against the measure.
“I hope you are expediting it to get this moving,” said Lowe. “Let’s go…let’s get it done.”