On the Issues

Correctional Officer Hiring Practices

PROBLEM: Over the past year and a half the Vigo County Jail has had to arrest, fire, or ask six correctional officers to resign.  The problems ranged from use of  controlled substances, trafficking with inmates, to improper relationships with inmates.

These situations can expose the County to civil suits, costing you, the  taxpayer, thousands of dollars in defending these lawsuits.  You cannot totally eliminate these problems.  However, you can lessen the probability of employee misconduct by implementing a few safeguards.

Currently there is a Correctional Officer working at the Jail who has been an Inmate.  His arrest record starts out with a Minor Consuming arrest in 2000.  This case was dismissed. 

Again, in 2000, he was arrested for Possession of Marijuana, a Class D felony, and Illegal Consumption of an Alcoholic Beverage.  He was admitted into the Drug Court Program.  During this time he was found to be in non-compliance with the program. He was court ordered to the custody of the sheriff to serve 72 hours for his non-compliance. 

While out on these criminal charges, he was again arrested in March of 2001.  This arrest was for Resisting Law Enforcement, a Class D felony, Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated, an A misdemeanor, and Illegal Consumption of an Alcoholic Beverage, a Class C misdemeanor.

 I ASK YOU, IF YOU WERE THE SHERIFF, IS THIS SOMEONE WE WANT GUARDING THE INMATES?

 SHORT TERM STRATEGY: As I mentioned earlier, you cannot totally eliminate problems that may arise with jail staff, but you most certainly can lessen the probability.  Several steps need to be put into place:

STEP 1 – Background investigations on all current jail officers

STEP 2 – A Policy and Procedure manual for all jail staff

STEP  3 – Improved training for jail staff

 

LONG TERM STRATEGY: These steps will need to be put into place to cut down on the County’s exposure to civil litigation:

STEP 1 – Develop and implement a new hiring practice

  • In-depth background investigations
  • Aptitude testing
  • Drug testing
  • Physical fitness testing
  • Psychological testing

STEP 2 - In-service training for correctional officers

STEP 3 – Correctional Officer input