Safety concerns continue as a new investigation is underway at the Monroe County Jail.
Allegations are circling about contraband continuing to make its way into the prison in Snydersville.
Some Monroe County Corrections Officers remain in fear for their lives.
But we’re told the administration is starting to work with them when it comes to their safety.
Monroe County Corrections Officer Hero says, "Like fentanyl, a little bit of that gets in the air, I’m sure we’ve all seen those videos of police officers doing traffic stops and overdosing. That could very well happen to us during a cell search and I want to go home and see my children tonight."
Fentanyl is just one of the substances that is possibly being brought into the Monroe County Correctional Facility.
Monroe County District Attorney Michael Mancuso says, "There’s not one incident or multiple incidents at this point. There’s a pattern of behavior that would involve multiple different types of contraband so it could be fentanyl, it could be cellphones, it could be tobacco, it could be some other substance."
Today a corrections officer representing others that couldn’t attend the Prison Board Meeting wanted reassurance those found responsible would face charges even though they may have already resigned. Monroe County District Attorney says it’s an ongoing investigation and officers will be held accountable.
Mancuso says, "I appointed two of my detectives to fair it out and cooperate with us and offered whatever resources they would need, including subpoenaing witnesses and documentation so we’ll see where it goes."
It comes after last month’s meeting where other officers claimed allegations and safety concerns weren’t being handled correctly at the jail.
Monroe County Corrections Officer Don Kubik said at the last meeting, "Gangs, drugs, a lot of safety issues with the parking lot, just our safety goes in peril here and this administration is not working with us."
And the jail is moving forward with addressing some of the major safety concerns which includes the staff parking lot.
Monroe County Warden Garry Handle says, "The contractor came out that we have, they have ordered the light. It’s going to be brightening up the far end of the parking lot."
THE BOARD ALSO MADE A MOTION TODAY TO PURCHASE A PROPERTY STORAGE SYSTEM MACHINE SO THAT CLOTHING WITH POTENTIAL DANGEROUS RESIDUE CAN BE VACUUM SEALED…
Handle says, "We have been looking into it. We have been looking into it prior and seeing what the details were to correct the issues."
The warden wants to reiterate his door is always open and is always looking to address any issues. But the officers with complaints say a lot more needs to be done at the Monroe County Jail.
