SCRANTON -- Six corrections officers at the Lackawanna County Prison have been accused inappropriate contact with a female inmate.
The Lackawanna County Prison Board has placed those six officers on paid leave while the allegations are investigated.
The allegations have already been investigated by a grand jury. County officials won't say why the suspensions were given out this week or when the misconduct allegedly took place.
We know it was before District Attorney Shane Scanlon took office in January. His office was handed the investigation on Friday.
“I can’t comment on prior investigations conducted by a grand jury, however, if items were previously investigated they would have been handled and closed,” explained Scanlon. “If there are new matters that need to be investigated, they will be investigated.”
Scanlon thinks the suspension of the six corrections officers may have been a premature move on the part of the county.
This new investigation will start at square one. The chairman of the Lackawanna County Prison Board released a statement that says in part:
"The prison staff and administration will cooperate fully with the district attorney's investigation into this matter. It is vitally important that we secure both the truth and accuracy of the situation. We are committed to protecting everyone's rights, and, in the end, ensuring justice."
