Prince George’s Co. Jail Takes a Partner
Vera Institute to develop plan within a year
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The Prince George's County jail in Maryland, plagued by allegations of corruption and incompetence, has partnered with a nonprofit group to improve its management practices.
The Vera Institute of Justice will interview jail employees and inmates to learn what the jail does well and what it could do better. Under the terms of the agreement, they plan to develop a model for independent oversight of the jail within a year or less.
The jail has been criticized for its handling of the death of 19-year-old Ronnie White, who had been charged with killing a police officer and was later found dead in his cell, as well as other problems, including four handguns found missing from the jail armory last year.
The Vera Institute has similar arrangements with corrections officials in Colorado, Nevada, Florida and Texas. The nonprofit is based in New York and Washington.
Copyright Associated Press / NBC4 Washington
Posted Saturday, Oct 31, 2009 - 8:28 PM EST
