Prison warden suspended after removing fence

22/12/2008

A prison warden in Liverpool has been suspended after removing a fence outside Walton Jail.

The Liverpool Echo reports that the man removed the chain fence on safety grounds following an incident where he tripped and broke his collar bone and nose.

However, after removing the fence, located outside the main gates of the prison, staff called the police to the prison, where the warden, named Jerry Lessiter was arrested on suspicion of theft but later released without charge.

Despite this, the official remains suspended from his position while an internal investigation is carried out.

"He was suspended on full pay and it's the public paying for his wages. It's rather harsh that management initiated police action and it wasn't surprising there was no case to answer," said an anonymous worker at the prison.

In other developments, the Burnley Citizen reported earlier this month that security at a local library is to be enhanced with the installation of new gates that will limit access outside of opening hours.