McCracken County News Releases

Wednesday, June 15, 2005

A Kentucky Department of Corrections supervisor from Blackburn Correctional Complex in Lexington is facing possible criminal charges for allowing an inmate to visit with his girlfriend while in Paducah on a work detail Tuesday.

Bill Pierce was in charge of three inmates, including former Paducah firefighter Rick Hill, who were delivering furniture to Paducah Tilghman High School. The furniture had been made by Blackburn inmates.

When they arrived in Paducah at 10:30 a.m., Pierce drove them to a business owned by Hill's father, according to Blackburn Warden Steve Haney. Pierce apparently was going to allow Hill to spend some time with his girlfriend while the other inmates delivered the furniture, Haney said.

Haney said Pierce had been under investigation for several months for possible wrongdoing involving his supervision of inmates who deliver furniture to government agencies throughout the state. He said officers at Blackburn received a tip that Pierce was going to allow Hill to visit with his girlfriend while making a delivery in Paducah.

"We notified probation and parole officers in Paducah, who staked out the business," Haney said. "Hill was leaving (with his girlfriend) when the officers approached the business."

Inside the state van, officers found beer and $200. "Allowing inmates to have cash and beer is against regulations," Haney said.

The inmates were taken to the McCracken County Regional Jail, where they were held until correctional officers arrived from the Western Kentucky Correctional Complex in Fredonia. The inmates will remain there while the incident is being investigated.

Pierce was allowed to drive the van and trailer containing the furniture back to Blackburn, where he was placed on administrative leave. The furniture will be delivered to Tilghman later, Haney said.

Haney said the incident is being investigated by the Department of Corrections and that criminal charges could be filed against Pierce, Hill and the other inmates. He said Hill could face a charge of attempted escape.

Hill, 35, is serving a 12-year sentence for assault, possession of a controlled substance and tampering with physical evidence.

The other inmates were Floyd Jones of Louisville, serving 13 years for manslaughter and other charges, and Charles Mattingly of Nelson County, serving 15 years for manslaughter and other charges.

Blackburn is a minimum security institution for inmates nearing a release date or meeting with the parole board, Haney said. The primary emphasis at Blackburn is to prepare inmates for assignment to a community service center or outright release.