Austin Baird
A former correctional officer is accused of bribery and providing contraband to inmates.
24-year-old Stephanie Cravens was arrested May 3 after an investigation by the Alaska State Troopers allegedly revealed that she sold a cellphone to an inmate.
Sherrie Daigle, Department of Corrections spokesperson, said that incidents like this rarely occur with correctional officers but are extremely troubling. Cellphones are particularly troubling because of the communication channels they open up for inmates.
“They could be used to contact somebody on the outside to implement an escape,” Daigle said. “They are also used to contact other people that may decide to bring other contraband, including drugs, into a facility, so it’s extremely important that we make sure that stays out.”
Cravens was hired in September 2012. AST started its investigation April 7, and by April 21 Cravens “separated her employment” with the department.
Cravens was remanded to the Mat-Su Pretrial Facility, where she was charged with bribery and first- and second-degree promoting contraband. She was held in lieu of $2,500 bail, which she posted shortly after her arrest.
Source: ktuu
