Fayette Prison Board takes disciplinary action against prison guard over incident with inmate
The Fayette County Prison Board unanimously voted to impose disciplinary action against a guard at the prison following an incident between the guard and an inmate.
Following a 90-minute executive session during a special meeting Monday called to address a personnel issue, the board voted to direct Fayette County Prison Warden Jeffrey Meyers and the human resources department to begin disciplinary action against the guard.
Because the incident is a personnel issue, the board did not give the guard’s name, the inmate’s name, the nature of the incident or details of the disciplinary action.
Melissa Melewsky, the media law counsel with the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association, said unless the guard was demoted or terminated, board members were within their rights to withhold the guard’s name.
Marybeth Homistek of Fairchance questioned the board about how inmates with mental-health issues are treated, specifically mentioning a guard using a hose to spray an inmate. Board members declined to comment on her questions.
Absent from the special meeting were board members Commissioner Dave Lohr and District Attorney Rich Bower. The board is also comprised of Sheriff James Custer, Commissioners Angela M. Zimmerlink and Vincent Vicites, Controller Scott Abraham and Judge Steve P. Leskinen, all of whom voted in favor of the disciplinary action.