SUNBURY - Northumberland County Prison Board ratified last week's suspension and firing of correctional officer William Reber during a special meeting Tuesday afternoon.
When the meeting reconvened after a one-hour executive session, Commissioner Stephen Bridy, chairman of the prison board, made a motion that was unanimously approved by the board to ratify Reber's suspension with pay and firing.
On Oct. 17, Reber, 23, of Watsonton, was suspended with pay by Bridy before being fired the next day by Warden Roy Johnson for allegedly wrestling with a male prisoner four weeks ago and providing him with Tylenol after he was injured in the scuffle.
Commissioner Vinny Clausi previously said Reber admitted to wrestling with the inmate, causing the victim to fall and injure his neck. Clausi said Reber provided the inmate with Tylenol to sooth the pain associated with his neck injury.
Reber, who is named as a defendant in two recent lawsuits filed against eight current or former prison personnel relating to alleged beatings suffered by two inmates, had worked at the prison for approximately two years, including the past six months as a full-time employee.
Reber is a member of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Union.
During the commissioners' meeting that preceded the prison board session, Bridy's motion to seek cost proposals for high-definition audio and video cameras at the prison was unanimously passed.