Alleged assault of Westmoreland County Prison inmate by guards under investigation

An investigation is under way regarding an inmate at the Westmoreland County Prison who was allegedly abused by guards, District Attorney John Peck confirmed Monday.

“At this point, all I can say is that there is an investigation. It’s ongoing,” Peck said.

Sheriff James Albert, who is chairman of the county’s prison board, also confirmed the investigation.

“I really can’t speak too much about it,” Albert said. “I’m waiting for more information from the district attorney’s office at this point.”

The investigation, being handled by county detectives, involves an inmate who was being delivered to the Hempfield jail on Thursday, Albert said.

Albert said he could not disclose whether the guards alleged to have been involved are suspended.

“It’s a personnel matter. I can’t speak to that,” Albert said.

Warden John Walton declined to comment on grounds that the matter is a personnel issue.

The inmate was taken to Excela Health Westmoreland Hospital in Greensburg for treatment, Albert said.

The incident involved James Mapp, 32, of Roswell, N.M., who was arrested Thursday by Manor police for allegedly breaking into a home on Observer Street, multiple sources said.

Mapp’s jail intake photograph shows him wearing a bandage around his forehead and left eye. Court documents do not indicate that Mapp resisted arrest when he was taken into custody by borough police.

Manor police could not be immediately reached for comment.

Court reports indicate that Thursday’s arrest was the second time in 24 hours that Mapp was found inside the residence and that he contended in interviews he knew family members who owned the home. Police said Thursday they found Mapp left water running in a second floor bathtub that caused damage to the bathroom floor and a dining room on the first floor.

A day earlier, April 29, police reported Mapp was discovered inside the vacant residence and officers found he had “spray painted” a wall in a second floor bedroom. He told police during the first incident he intended to return to New Mexico.

No charges were filed in the initial case after police consulted with the homeowner.

Police reports allege Mapp entered the house April 30 by breaking through a window on a porch deck and unlocking the door.

After being discovered the second time, the homeowner told police to arrest Mapp. He was arraigned before District Judge Charles Christner of Rostraver and then transported to jail on $50,000 bond, records indicate.

Mapp does not have an attorney listed in court documents.

Neither Albert or Peck would comment on whether Mapp was the inmate involved in the alleged incident.