July 14, 2008
Corrections to investigate alleged strip search
Advertiser

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- State Division of Corrections investigators will look into allegations that a prison work crew from a McDowell County correctional facility were stripped and searched last week along the side of the road in view of the public.

Corrections Commissioner Jim Rubenstein said he was aware of the incident, but that officials with the McDowell County-owned prison said the men were only stripped to their boxer shorts and were not in the view of passing motorists or houses.

"We'll have at least one of our folks down there to determine if everything was handled properly," the commissioner said Friday.

According to Rubenstein, a report he received said the prisoners were cutting brush in the Northfork area Wednesday afternoon when someone saw a passing motorist toss a package to one or more prisoners.

The prison sent four correctional officers to the site, along with Northfork police, he said. Initially, he said the plan was to put the crew back on buses and search them at the facility. However, "a couple" of inmates were acting oddly and guards decided to search them prior to getting on the bus.

"Sadly, in our line of work, that threat of contraband can be anything," Rubenstein said, noting it could have been some type of gun or other weapon.

The decision was then made to search all the inmates before allowing them on the bus, he said.

"They had them isolated out of sight of houses and the road," he said.

The men were stripped down to their boxer shorts, then patted down, Rubenstein said.

"There was something found and the city police department was handling that end of it," Rubenstein said.

What was found was a pack of cigarettes, said Sid Bell, McDowell County's prosecuting attorney.

Report a violation or offensive comment.
[X] Close
to report abuse.
Posted By: Concerned (11:50pm 07-15-2008)
Report Abuse


Yes I feel that the Guards were correct in what they did. It is a hard job, and they must protect the community along with thimselves,the people in jail did a crime but do they have to be treated as dirt. We are clueless of how they are talked to and treated in jail. They are people also. I know that they are n jail from crimes but some of the crimes are not violent crimes. Even a prisoners they should have some rights.To medical attention/treatment.Not to be cursed at.Not to be called out of their names. We pay these peoples to do a job. What happened to rehabilitation? Is that word a joke? We can't believe that all people in jail are trash. If we beleive that they can't be rehabilitated then we don't beleive in God! We all belong to Him. And there is hope for all, there is hope. Let's not judge. Until you have a family member locked up, then you don't know. Would you want your child treated like dirt for commiting a crime that only hurt themselves and not others?

Posted By: LMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (1:39pm 07-15-2008)
Report Abuse


LOVE IT! YOU LOSE UR CIVIL RIGHTS WHEN YOU LAND YOURSELF IN JAIL. THE GUARDS DID THEIR JOB. THE PRISONERS SHOULD HAVE THOUGHT TWICE BEFORE COMMITTING THE CRIME. GOOD JOB GUARDS, KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!

Posted By: to inmates wife (8:43am 07-15-2008)
Report Abuse


What about the rights of the people your husband violated when he committed his crime? Yeah prisoners are humans but so are their victims. Get over it.

Posted By: ebulldog (7:32pm 07-14-2008)
Report Abuse


hey thats right blame the parents!!!!!! Its time we put the blame where it go's.The person that did the crime not on the parents..Once you are an adult you are responsible for your own actions..Those officers have to protect the public and them selves. You should lose your rights when you are incarcerated.If thats the worst that happens to these prisoners while they are incarcerated they should consider themselves lucky.

Advertisement - Your ad here
Advertisement - Your ad here
SMITH'S CARPET ONE
When it comes to buying flooring for your home, there's only one flooring store to visit, Carpet...
Advertisement - Your ad here