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Personal Relationship with Prisoner Merits Washington Guard’s Dismissal

The Washington State Personnel Appeals Board (PAB) has held that dismissal of a prison guard is an appropriate sanction for the guard engaging in a personal relationship with a prisoner, gave prisoners gifts, food, and cigarettes, and engaged in conversations of a personal nature with prisoners.

Before the PAB was the appeal of Darin Stone, a guard at the Washington Correctional center for women. Stone admitted that he gave a cigarette, a candy bar, and Mc Donald’s fast food restaurant food to prisoner Carver on June 11 and 12, 2001, while watching her at the hospital.

He, however, denied that he was involved in a personal relationship with prisoner Ryan. The evidence, nonetheless, demonstrated Ryan told her “friends” about the relationship. Prisoners Bates, Carver, Berry, and Walker all told investigators about their knowledge concerning the relationship between Stone and Ryan.

Ryan told Bates and Walker the relationship consisted of hugging, kissing, and oral sex. She further told them Stone brought her gifts that included “Red Door” perfume, a gold charm, personal notes and letters, and three packages of Tarot cards.

Stone was fired because he “neglected his duty when he engaged in a personal relationship with Ryan, gave Ryan personal gifts and cigarettes, shared personal information [prisoners] and gave [prisoners] food and cigarettes.” The PAB found the preponderance of the evidence supported charges and the sanction was appropriate. See: Stone v. Department of Corrections, PAB No: -Dism-01-0098 (2002). The PAB ruling is in the brief bank.

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Related legal case

Stone v. Department of Corrections