State Lawmakers Take Closer Look Into Improper Activities at Reg - Beckley, Bluefield & Lewisburg News, Weather, Sports

State Lawmakers Take Closer Look Into Improper Activities at Regional Jails

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State lawmakers are taking a closer look into allegations of improper activities in regional jails.

In fact, some say an inmate's story about such activities happened in a jail kitchen helped lead to the recent arrest of a corrections officer.

This, as state lawmakers talk to regional jail agency chief Joe DeLong about criminal charges filed last month against William Roy Wilson.

The 29-year-old Beckley man is accused of engaging in sexual acts with at least three Southern Regional Jail inmates in exchange for cigarettes.

DeLong said that initial complaint did not involve Wilson. But checking out those allegations led to Wilson, and prompted State Police involvement.

DeLong said he's seeking an outside independent investigator to review that case as well as his agency's policies meant to prevent sex crimes by officers against inmates.

Wilson is also the target of at least nine pending lawsuits.