Ark. governor has ‘full faith’ in prisons chief despite escapes, abuse claim, lap dances

Ark. governor has ‘full faith’ in prisons chief

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — A spokesman says Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe has “full faith” in the state’s prison director despite revelations that guards left a naked inmate covered in excrement for a weekend.

Spokesman Matt DeCample said Tuesday that Beebe believes it is appropriate for the state Department of Correction to investigate itself over the inmate’s near-death in January.

Beebe says that incident, plus recent escapes and findings that guards received lap dances while on the job, raised questions about how the prison system is run.

He says corrections officials will “analyze each event” first, with assistance from State Police.

Asked if he would fire prison director Larry Norris, Beebe said “no,” then added, “that issue hadn’t come up.”

A state prison spokeswoman says Norris wasn’t available for comment Tuesday.