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Council Takes No Action On Worker That Left Prisoner Unattended
February 17, 2009
The Town of Century has taken no action in regards to an employee that left a state prisoner unattended in parking lot, and after he got into a fight that got him arrested while on the time clock.
The council mentioned the offense at their meeting Monday night and listened to Mayor Freddie McCall report on how their prison would have handle such an offense, but the council took no official action.
Escambia Sheriff’s Department reports say that Robert Allen Powell, 56, of Century got into a fight with Randall Keith Grimes, 47, of Century at the town’s Dollar General store.
Powell stopped at the Dollar General in a town truck along with a prisoner from the Century Correctional Institute that was on work detail for the town. Powell reported went into the store to purchase cold medication, leaving the prisoner unattended in the parking lot. Inside the store, Powell ended up in the altercation with Grimes.
Their stories differ on what happened. Powell told deputies that Grimes called him names and then punched him. Grimes said Powell called him a “retard” and a “bastard” before Powell punched him in the face. Powell told deputies the entire incident stemmed from Grimes’ involvement with his ex-wife.
The report says store surveillance video shows that Powell threw the first punch, according to the ECSO report. Powell was arrested on a battery warrant, and released on a $2,500 bond.
The big issue for some members of the Century Town Council was not the fight, but the fact that Powell left the prisoner unattended outside the store.
McCall told the council member night that the prison would provide on of their employees committing the offense a verbal or written warning on the first offense. The second offense would bring a written warning. The third offense would be met with three to 10 days suspension, and termination would take place on the fourth offense.
The council was reportedly advised by Matt Danheisser, their attorney, that any employment policy could not be made retroactively to apply to Powell.
“Out working rules call for a verbal reprimand, and I issued one,” McCall said Monday night.
Council President Ann Brooks said that the town would address any possible future similar situations with a policy to be discussed when the town works on a policies and procedures manual.
At the council’s last meeting on February 2, Council member Henry Hawkins recommended that the town determine what punishment the prison system would inflict on a prison employee that might leave a prisoner unattended. He said the town should consider a punishment “up to” that level. His motion to take such action died without a second.
McCall said two weeks ago that the prison system will continue to allow the town to use free inmate labor. Powell will not be able to supervise an inmate until after his court process is complete, but McCall said prison officials had stated that he would be able to supervise prisoners in the future.
McCall said the prison system would “overlook” the fact that Powell stopped to get the cold medicine, and that the prison warden did not consider it a big problem.
Powell is scheduled to face Judge David Ackerman on February 19 on the misdemeanor battery charge. Grimes has not been charged in connection with the incident.
Comments
3 Responses to “Council Takes No Action On Worker That Left Prisoner Unattended”
An employee gets into a fight on working hours and leaves a convicted felon alone outside the prison area. A WARNING??? A student in our school district would be suspended for fighting. This doesn’t say much for our city government as they apparently have no employee code or plan on brushing it aside. Amazing!!!
I think Mr. pOWELL should be fired The next times he will think before he tries to pick a fight. .Mr. Grimes has my vote. Fire Mr. Powell ////////
Century town council is vapor locked with indecision and the leadership is wearing rose colored glasses because mayor investigated and his employee did nothing wrong. Yeah right, and I have a 50 x 100 foot lot in Century I’ll sale to you real cheap too!