Westmoreland prison guard fired amid inmate assault investigation

A Westmoreland County Prison guard was fired Monday, less than a month after the launch of an investigation into allegations that an inmate was assaulted by staff at the jail.

Warden John Walton declined to reveal details that led to the firing. Sheriff James Albert, who serves as a member of the prison board, confirmed it was related to the assault investigation.

“We are filing charges,” District Attorney John Peck said. Charges related to an alleged jail assault were not filed as of late Monday afternoon, according to court records.

The case involves inmate James Mapp, 32, of Roswell, N.M., who was arrested April 30 by Manor police for allegedly breaking into a home on Observer Street, according to sources.

Mapp wore a bandage around his forehead and left eye in his mugshot taken at the county jail after his arrest, and officials said he was treated at Excela Health Westmoreland Hospital in Greensburg for undisclosed injuries.

Albert said video from the jail appeared to show at least two guards violently subduing an inmate. He had no additional details of the incident.

The assault allegations prompted Albert on Monday to call for expanded investigations of new hires at the jail.

“Criminal background checks are great, but I don’t think they are enough,” he said. “I think we should consider psychological exams and lie detector tests before they are hired. It may help avoid legal problems in the long run.”

Peck said county detectives are subjected to additional screenings before being hired. Other prison board members said they were receptive to requiring additional testing as part of the hiring practice for new guards.

Officials will seek out details for an expanded review of guard candidates and could implement a new program next month, Albert said.

Mapp was arrested two times within 24 hours, according to court records. Police said he was found April 30 inside a home in Manor and left water running in a second-floor bathtub, causing damage to a floor and dining room.

A day earlier, Mapp was discovered inside the vacant residence, and officers found he had spray painted a wall in a second-floor bedroom. He told police during the first incident he intended to return to New Mexico.

No charges were filed in the initial case after police consulted the homeowner.

Mapp remains in jail, unable to post a $50,000 bond. A preliminary hearing on charges of burglary, trespassing and criminal mischief is scheduled May 26.