By Mary Pickels
Tribune-Review
GREENSBURG, Pa. — A food service contractor supplying meals to Fayette County Jail this week terminated its contract, leaving the county approximately 30 days to find a new provider.
As late as June 20, Florida-based Trinity Services Group Inc. had sought a one-year extension of its contract.
The extension included a 30-cent per meal price increase, according to paperwork provided by Commissioner Angela Zimmerlink.
But on Tuesday, a Trinity district manager hand delivered termination notices to the courthouse, Zimmerlink said,
Zimmerlink said the manager informed her of an incident that occurred at the prison on Aug. 3, involving a Trinity employee and a prison corrections officer.
The employee contacted city police, alleging she had been assaulted.
Prison Warden Brian Miller and county Human Resources Director Dominick Carnicella confirmed the incident, which they said involved two females in the kitchen area of the jail.
Miller described the incident as “more verbal.”
“They were not engaged in a fist fight,” Miller said.
He and Carnicella said the Trinity employee is not permitted in the facility and the corrections officer has been suspended with pay while Carnicella conducts an investigation.
James Caccimelio, a detective with the office of Fayette County District Attorney Jack Heneks, said on Wednesday that he and city police Chief Jason Cox had reviewed the alleged victim’s complaint.
Caccimelio said he did not expect criminal charges to be filed.
Trinity has served as the prison food service contractor since 2008.
Tuesday’s letter stated the company’s final day of service would be Sept. 5.
Zimmerlink said Trinity employees had attended prison board meetings in the past to report issues involving corrections officers.
Carnicella said those issues were addressed with county employees and Trinity. Miller said he believed they had been resolved.
Commission Chair Al Ambrosini said on Wednesday that he contacted Trinity and received confirmation of the termination.
“They are stepping away from their contract. They are going to cease providing us food services. We will be looking for a new provider,” he said.
Trinity is willing to work with the county as it makes the transition to a new provider, Ambrosini said.
“It does surprise me a little bit. Basically what he (Trinity executive) told me was they have a policy to protect their workers,” he said.
The prison also has policies and procedures relating to safety factors when working with the inmates, several officials indicated.
Ambrosini declined to elaborate on Trinity’s specific concerns.
He said he has begun the process the county follows to request proposals. Commissioners could then approve and ratify the item at its next voting meeting, Ambrosini said.