DOC fined $26,000 in Biendl death investigation
TUMWATER, Wash. -- The Department of Corrections was fined $26,000 by the Department of Labor and Industries as a result of their six month investigation into the death of corrections officer Jayme Biendl at the Monroe Correctional Complex.
Prosecutors say Biendl was strangled by prison inmate Byron Scherf on Jan. 29. Scherf is charged with aggravated murder and could face the death penalty.
Officials with L&I say their investigation found two serious safety violations and one repeat of a previous serious safety violation, determining there were problems with training, policies not being enforced, and safety policies that were not tailored to the workplace.
L&I determined the workplace safety violations resulted in several opportunities where prison staff could have responded to or noted Officer Biendl's absence much sooner had the DOC's existing policies been consistently followed or had certain policies been in place.
The $26,000 penalty is nearly the maximum amount allowed, under L&I guidelines and the DOC will have 15 days to appeal.
"As a result of this investigation, we will closely examine every level of the agency to determine what systematic changes we need to make," said Department of Corrections secretary Bernie Warner, adding his agency has already taken action to address the issues brought up in the investigation.
Prosecutors say Biendl was strangled by prison inmate Byron Scherf on Jan. 29. Scherf is charged with aggravated murder and could face the death penalty.
Officials with L&I say their investigation found two serious safety violations and one repeat of a previous serious safety violation, determining there were problems with training, policies not being enforced, and safety policies that were not tailored to the workplace.
L&I determined the workplace safety violations resulted in several opportunities where prison staff could have responded to or noted Officer Biendl's absence much sooner had the DOC's existing policies been consistently followed or had certain policies been in place.
The $26,000 penalty is nearly the maximum amount allowed, under L&I guidelines and the DOC will have 15 days to appeal.
"As a result of this investigation, we will closely examine every level of the agency to determine what systematic changes we need to make," said Department of Corrections secretary Bernie Warner, adding his agency has already taken action to address the issues brought up in the investigation.
