PENDLETON, IN – A corrections officer at Pendleton Correctional Facility has been arrested for allegedly attempting to smuggle drugs into the prison and engaging in a relationship with an inmate. This marks the second such incident involving a corrections officer at the facility in less than two weeks, highlighting an ongoing issue within the prison system.
Authorities have charged Shakira Graham, 26, after she reportedly tried to bring methamphetamine and fentanyl into the facility concealed in a bottle of fruit punch-flavored sports drink. The seal on the bottle was broken, prompting a search by other staff members that led to the discovery of the drugs.
Investigations have also revealed that Graham was involved in an inappropriate relationship with a convicted murderer serving a 60-year sentence. This case has drawn attention to the recurring problem of contraband and illicit relationships between guards and inmates in correctional facilities.
Rodney Cummings, the Madison County Prosecutor, emphasized that such incidents are not isolated, pointing to a broader pattern of misconduct in prisons. Cummings recounted a past incident where an inmate contacted a deputy prosecutor via cellphone from within the prison, underscoring the challenges in controlling contraband.
The arrest of Graham comes shortly after another corrections officer at Pendleton, Brent Rettinger, was accused of smuggling meth and tobacco. This raises concerns about staffing and the rigorousness of hiring practices within the correctional system.
The Indiana Department of Corrections has stated its commitment to ensuring safety and taking allegations of misconduct seriously. However, they have refrained from commenting on specific personnel matters due to privacy policies.
The incidents at Pendleton Correctional Facility underscore the difficulty of monitoring and managing the interactions between staff and inmates, a problem exacerbated by the limited pool of suitable candidates for these positions.
Graham was scheduled to appear in court this afternoon, but there have been no updates on her case as of the latest reports. The situation remains under investigation, as authorities work to address the systemic issues that allow such misconduct to occur.