Rustin Leaving for New Mexico

Allegheny County Jail Warden Ramon Rustin has resigned effective January 14. Rustin came to Pittsburgh in October 2004 after serving as deputy warden at the Chester County Prison. Rustin has accepted a position as Chief of Correction in Bernalillo County in New Mexico. Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato announced the resignation in a statement....
"Warden Rustin has been a valuable asset to Allegheny County. In addition to his day to day responsibilities, he played a key role in the Jail Collaborative which supports former inmates and their reintegration back into their community. I wish him continued success in his new position."

Onorato said he would appoint an interim warden while a search is conducted for a permanent replacement.

Jail Guards Charged in Beating of Inmate

Two Allegheny County jail guards have been charged in the beating of inmate David Kipp. Arii Metz and Marcia Williams, both with ten years on the job were charged with several counts. Metz was charged with aggravated assault and criminal conspiracy, among other counts. Williams was with criminal conspiracy, un-sworn falsification to authorities, obstruction of the administration of law and official oppression. Allegheny County Police Superintendent Charles Moffatt said both Williams and Metz and a third guard, Timothy Miller, are suspended without pay and a preliminary hearing will be held next week. The alleged beating took place in the intake/processing department and Allegheny County Jail Warden Ramon Rustin says that while there are cameras throughout the facility, they don't capture everything, "This area in our processing, I don't consider it a blind spot, but it doesn't capture every single area." Kipp was taken to the county jail on October 13 on drug and assault charges with no visible facial wounds. But when he showed up for a hearing he had visible bruising and bandages on his face and his defense attorney Kevin Abromovitz told he judge his client suffered a broken nose and perforated eardrum and he didn't believe the injuries were caused by another inmate. FBI Special Agent in Charge Mike Rodriguez says civil rights charges under the color of law code are pending against one or more of the corrections officers.

Should County Prisoners Go to Work?

Allegheny County Council is considering a bill that would put non-violent prisoners to work outside the County Jail. Council Vice President Charles Martoni from District 8, a co-sponsor, says it’s a complex issue that could be constructive and positive both for the county and for the prisoners eligible to work, but care must be taken not to encroach on jobs that county employees should be doing and to use only those prisoners who would not be dangerous—people who are in jail for DUI offenses, for example.

He says Council should proceed slowly before voting on the measure. He would like to study other such programs around the country to see how they've been implemented and whether they've been successful.

Martoni says the community and the country need all citizens to be productive, and he believes there are some prisoners who could be.