Former prison chief defends his procedures

CARSON CITY -- Former state Prison Director Ron Angelone says the women's prison was running well when he left in April 1994 and he disputes findings of a hearing officer that the system was near collapse.

"I'm not going to be the scapegoat" for the problems outlined in recent a decision by state Hearing Officer David Kladney, said Angelone, who is now director of prisons in Virginia.

Kladney in his report said there were sexual relations between counselors and inmates; the medical staff was "doing and dealing drugs within the prison;" morale was low; and living conditions were uninhabitable for the inmates.

"Past management has failed miserably," Kladney wrote. He said Tuesday the problems were resolved under present prison Director Bob Bayer.

Angelone left in April 1994 and Carl Sannicks was made acting director until January 1995 when Bayer took over. Before he left, Angelone said the women's prison had been renovated and a federal judge had rejected a lawsuit by inmates who complained about the living quarters.

"There was nothing wrong with the prison system," Angelone said.

Kladney referred to the case of Janice Benzler, associate warden of operations, who was living with an ex-convict. When Benzler informed Sannicks, who was assistant director at the time, of her relationship he said there was nothing wrong with it.

Kladney said Sannicks' conduct "was highly unusual in light of the prison's own rules and regulations" citing a prior case in which a prison correctional officer had been fired for associating with an ex-convict at a bar and giving him a ride in his car.

Angelone, however, said Sannicks handled the situation properly. "What Carl did was correct," he said. "Carl Sannicks (who left the prison several years ago) was well within his rights."

Warden Robin Bates, who took over the women's prison in December 1995, said Sannicks was wrong in allowing the Benzler relationship to continue. The current (Bayer) administration, Bates said would not tolerate an ex-convict with living with any prison employee.

In his report Kladney did not mention Angelone by name but only referred to the "past administration." When questioned Tuesday, Kladney said he didn't know the name of the prior administrator.

Angelone said he can't be blamed for the problems that occurred since he left more than four years ago. He said the newspaper reports were "sloppy journalism" and the testimony in this case was "made up by people out there (at the prison) to protect their jobs."

The current case involved the prison's demotion of Sgt. Mel Vande Brake for spreading false rumors about Benzler. Kladney overturned the demotion saying there was a lack of evidence and there had not been a serious security threat to the prison. He suggested a 30-day suspension as a more appropriate punishment.

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