Irey-Toprani call for Jail Investigation

Irey-Toprani call for Jail Investigation

The Weekly Recorder
April 18, 2008

Washington-Washington County Solicitor Lynn DeHaven put it best “It is the Elephant in the room” referring to the obvious question of what should be done by the county in preparation for the potential storm over problems in the Washington County Jail.

DeHaven was responding to questions by Commissioner Diana Irey, who boldly asked “What resources might be available for an independent investigation” regarding the Washington County Jail. Irey was concerned over the possibility that at the least procedures were not followed over the years, in particular in the wake of a Federal Grand Jury investigating former District Attorney John Pettit.

But Irey’s very question was attacked by Commissioner James Bracken Burns. Burns referred to the allegations arising from the Washington County Jail as “Street talk and rumors”. Burns said this in spite of the fact that FBI agents and PA State Troopers have seized documents from the jail, employees have been subpoenaed regarding issues surrounding the jail, and years of allegations not only from prisoners but former employees.

Warden Joe Pelzer sat throughout the meeting redfaced. Pelzer is one of many individuals that county reformers are calling for the resignation of in the wake of the Pettit scandal.

Commissioner Larry Maggi said nothing, in spite of mounting evidence and allegations that lead to Dehaven’s comments “The Elephant in the room”. Maggi is a former Sheriff and after Burns, the longest serving member of the prison board.

Insiders have reported that Maggi has stuck to a position of not acting in any way to look into the problems in the jail. By his silence, he was apparently supporting the position of the status quo.
After the meeting, District Attorney Steve Toprani sided with Irey, agreeing that her call for an investigation was correct.

Irey apparently surprised her fellow Commissioners with her moves by bringing the issue out of the darkness and into the light. Though the fellow Democrats seemed united upon a policy of inaction, Irey seemed determined to act to find out if any wrong-doing or procedures were violated. Most interesting is the call for an independent investigation. This would remove the warden and others from being in positions to influence and control the outcome of any investigation.

Irey’s inquiry was initial and did not deal with details, as DeHaven did not actually answer the question that she proposed.

Just who could lead an investigation into the jail that anyone would trust? That alone might be the real problem. Who would have the fortitude to search for the truth? Who would seek to cut through the secrecy and learn the truth.

Before that might even happen, though Irey and Toprani must find two more officials willing to at least look at doing the right thing.