By Lisa Trigg
TERRE HAUTE — A former two-term sheriff has been appointed as the new executive director of the Vigo County Juvenile Justice Center, following Monday morning’s resignation by Lynn Austin.
James R. Jenkins, who also served a term as Terre Haute mayor, was appointed to the office Monday morning by Sheriff Jon Marvel, who has overseen the facility for several months at the appointment of Vigo Circuit Court Judge David Bolk.
In November, after an investigation into complaints about the operation of the detention facility, the Vigo County Board of Commissioners initially transferred authority to Marvel. Austin was directed at that time to report to the sheriff.
On Monday, Marvel told the Tribune-Star the change in leadership comes because of “lost confidence” in Austin, who had served as executive director of the juvenile center since 2003.
Marvel said both he and Vigo County Attorney Robert Wright “had lost confidence in her ability to continue as executive director in a decision-making role. She was offered the opportunity to resign, which she did.”
Among the concerns that led to the decision, Marvel said, was the discovery last summer that Austin had authorized, without county approval, the installation of video cameras to monitor juvenile activities in areas of the facility in which cameras are not allowed.
But Marvel emphasized that Austin had not taken any criminal action that led to the decision.
“It was, in my opinion, and the opinion of the county attorney as well, there were some decisions [made by Austin] that may have been, if allowed to continue, a liability for the county,” Marvel said.
Jenkins was appointed to the post upon Austin’s resignation, so there was no lapse in leadership for the facility, Marvel said. The salary for the executive director is $50,095.
Lisa Trigg can be reached at (812) 231-4254 or lisa.trigg@tribstar.com.
