Public Prison Board Meetings Slated for Next Week
County Prison Board President Rich Fink said two public meetings will be held this week to discuss an investigation into the escape of trustee Armstrong County Jail inmate Robert Crissman July 30.
by Jonathan Weaver
While Armstrong County District Attorney Scott Andreassi launched an investigation into the escape of trustee inmate Robert Crissman the morning of July 30, the Armstrong County Prison Board will also be starting an investigation.
Prison Board President and Commissioner Rich Fink requested a special Prison Board meeting this Monday at 1PM in the Commissioners’ Conference Room.
“The reason for the meeting is that I will be making a recommendation to the Board to have a search for an outside, independent investigative firm to conduct this investigation,” Fink said.
The regularly-scheduled meeting at 8:30AM Thursday, August 13 will also be open to the public and held in the Commissioners’ Conference Room.
Crissman, who is also charged with murdering local woman Tammy Long, the theft of Long’s maroon Chevrolet Silverado, and aggravated assault for injuring Trooper James Karlo’s hand during his capture – among other crimes – is now
held in the Butler County Jail without bond and faces a preliminary hearing Wednesday afternoon.
“This was a tragic event,” Fink said. “It has been tense – that is why I want to make the family and the public feel more secure. I am going to recommend an independent (consultant) so we get a clear picture
Fink added that the situation has also been tense due to interrelationships of County staff members in different departments related to Long as well as his personal friendship with the victim’s family.
At yesterday’s County Commissioners meeting, Rayburn Township Resident McClain suggested a way to help protect local residents.
McClain, who lives along State Route 85, said local residents saw the police vehicles and helicopters, but weren’t aware of the escape.
“Everybody in the neighborhood is very, very concerned. We would like to have some sort of siren or alarm system so we can know (if) something’s going on,” McClain suggested.
Fink said the suggestion and concern will be passed along to other Prison Board members.
Local News | jweaver August 7, 2015
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By Rainbow Rider, August 7, 2015 @ 10:06 AM
I Remember when it was announced that the jail would be built in this location. The residents were concerned about escapes and were told that if someone escapes they will try to get as far away from here as possible and those living nearby would be safe.
By Rainbow Rider, August 7, 2015 @ 10:13 AM
Why the closed door meeting before announcing an independent investigation? So everybody could get their story straight ? Why was there not a guard outside when these trays were being unloaded? Why would anyone ever dress inmates in green clothing? This makes it much harder to spot them. Isn’t there a watch tower with a guard in it 24-7 with orders to shoot anyone who runs? What was this person doing?