Published: August 20, 2008 09:28 am         

Prosecutors get report on prison brutality claims

CUMBERLAND — Maryland State Police said they have given prosecutors information from an investigation of prison brutality claims that led to the firing of 23 correctional officers.

Washington County State’s Attorney Charles Strong said he and Allegany County State’s Attorney Michael Twigg will thoroughly review the extensive reports before deciding whether to file charges.

Twigg was not available for comment.

The firings in April affected 15 officers from the medium-security Roxbury Correctional Institution near Hagerstown and eight from the maximum-security North Branch Correctional Institution in Cresaptown.

At the time, the head of the state prison system, Gary Maynard, said the firings were justified because of “very compelling evidence” found in an initial investigation.

The firings at North Branch stemmed from allegations that as many as seven inmates were beaten after they were transferred from Roxbury in March for fighting with corrections officers.

Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services spokesman Mark Vernarelli said in April that the investigation showed “serious departmental violations.”

Members of the District 1 legislative delegation had asked Maynard to reinstate the officers until completion of the criminal investigation, but Maynard responded that the officers had received due process before being let go.