Correctional Officer Arrested for Battery
Result of Internal Investigation

Carlisle, Ind. - On March 12, 2020 an allegation was made that Correctional Officer Jaymison Bennett, 26 of Sullivan County, had battered an offender at the Wabash Valley Correctional Facility (WVCF) on February 27, 2020.  Correctional Police Officers and staff with the Office of Investigations and Intelligence immediately initiated an investigation and Bennett was placed on suspension. 

The investigation developed information alleging an offender at the WVCF was the victim of a battery that did not require hospitalization. The investigation was presented to the Sullivan County Prosecutor's Office the afternoon of March 12th.  This resulted in an arrest warrant being issued for Bennett who was later arrested for allegedly engaging in Official Misconduct, a Level 6 Felony, and Battery, a Class A Misdemeanor.  Bennett was later arrested without incident and was transported to the Sullivan County Jail. 

Wabash Valley Correctional Facility Warden Richard Brown commented, "We take allegations of abuse of offenders very seriously, as evidenced by the rapid initiation of an investigation and suspension of the accused correctional officer." Brown continued, "We have a responsibility to ourselves, and the offenders we are responsible for, to hold our staff to a high standard of professionalism.  While that standard was not met in this case, our definitive action demonstrates we hold our personnel accountable."

While today's investigation has resulted in one arrest, there is additional ongoing investigation.  If other arrests occur there will be an update to this news release.

Jaymison Bennett began employment with the IDOC in October of 2018.  He is presently suspended from work pending termination of employment.  

Pictured left to right are IDOC OII Investigator Steve Carpenter, the arrrested employee Jaymison Bennett, and Correctional Police Officers Travis Davis & Randy VanVleet

Persons Arrested are Considered Innocent Until Proven Guilty in a Court of Law

###