The head of the state corrections department admits an investigation is underway into internal operations of the Bonne Terre prison….and that three people with administrative responsibilities have been suspended. But he’s going to let the rumors and speculation continue. Corrections director Larry Crawford won’t identify the suspended employees or even say what jobs they have because that might identify them. He won’t say what’s being investigated…says if drugs are involved the issue would be given to outside law enforcement and that hasn’t happened–yet. The investigation began within the institution and was approved by the superintendent. He says it’s a personnel matter, not an inmate grievance. He says some rumors and some news reports are disturbing to the staff and are “wide of the mark.” But he wont discuss which ones are off base. Crawford says he hopes to be able to say more before the end of the month….but he’s not promising to say much. Until then, department investigators are free to dig as deeply as they want.
