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| N.Carolina's largest youth prison to rehire former director |
| By Associated Press |
| Published: 10/07/2002 |
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A former director of the Swannanoa Valley Youth Center, the state's largest youth prison, is to return on an interim basis as the state investigates allegations of sexual abuse there, an official said Tuesday. A news conference was scheduled Wednesday to introduce Buncombe County commissioner Bill Stanley as temporary head of the prison, said Leigh Hines, communications director for the state Department of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. 'We believe and feel that he's going to be a tremendous asset to the department as we search for a full-time director,' Hines said. 'He has a working knowledge and he can go into the facility and really hit the ground running.' Stanley, 73, a former high school teacher and football coach, headed the prison from 1993 to 1996. He has served as a county commissioner since 1988. Three students at the youth prison filed a lawsuit in April, claiming a male staffer repeatedly assaulted them last year. Last month, the Asheville Citizen-Times reported another abuse claim involving an alleged 1999 sexual relationship between a female staff member and a 16-year-old boy. The state auditor's office has said it is conducting performance and investigative reviews of the facility. Also investigating is N.C. Prisoner Legal Services, a Raleigh-based prisoner-rights group, which says it may file a claim against the state to force improvements. The Swannanoa Valley facility, about 10 miles east of Asheville, is the largest of five state youth prisons, with capacity to house 258 offenders aged 10 to 18, including children convicted of violent crimes and sexual offenses. The facility also offers treatment for young people with substance abuse problems. In February, the state removed Swannanoa Valley's director, Kelce Phillip Lytle, from that job, placing him in another state position. Lytle, who is black and was 54 at the time of his removal, later filed a complaint with the state that alleges age and race discrimination. Since then, two people have served as acting director. State Rep. Wilma Sherrill, R-Buncombe, told the Citizen-Times that Stanley is a good choice to temporarily lead the prison. 'He did an excellent job when he was there before,' Sherrill said. 'The teachers, parents and students have confidence that the mission to educate and rehabilitate youthful offenders will once again be at the forefront. I feel that the risk and corruption will cease under Mr. Stanley's leadership.' Stanley did not immediately return a call seeking comment. Hines said it is unclear how long a search for a permanent director will take. She said she expects the search will be nationwide. |
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