Correctional Officer Jayme Biendl, 34,Killed By Inmate In Prison Chapel?!?!…’Lifer’ Murderer-Rapist Byron Scherf,52, Main Suspect In Her killing

Jayme Biendl, 34, a female correctional officer at the Monroe Correctional Complex,a Washington state prison, was found strangled to death at the prison, inside the prison chapel,on Saturday night.(Source)

Byron Scherf, 52, inmate at the Monroe Correctional Complex in Monroe who killed a female prison guard

Her suspected killer is inmate,”lifer’ Byron Scherf,52.(CNN)

The prison chapel is usually a place of worship,not the scene of a murder…

She had raised concerns with her union shop steward and prison supervisors about being left alone to guard inside the chapel of the state prison, and unfortunately, her concerns were realized by her untimely, and brutal murder there.(Source)

Monroe Correctional Complex in Washington

It should be noted that in the medium security section of the facility where the suspected killer Scherf was serving his time, officers do not carry weapons while on duty at the Monroe facility.

…I can only surmise that after the circumstances of this murder,that policy will be reviewed. Among thousands of violent criminals,I am pretty certain that there are some criminal masterminds there that would exploit that fact, as in the unfortunate example of this murder inside the prison facility.(Source)

Violent rapist, sexual assaults,and kidnapper Byron Scherf, 52, is serving a life sentence for his past crimes, and was apprehended shortly at the prison,after having been reported missing during a routine head count.(Source)

Inside a prison chapel filled with inmates seeking religion...or just acting like it.

He was later found in the chapel lobby and told officers he had planned to escape, but changed his mind.

He has been taken to an  isolation facility in the prison and will be held there while the investigation continues in the death of Officer Biendl.The entire complex was on lockdown Sunday as officers investigate the incident.

The inmate has a long history of violent sexual assaults, and is serving life in prison for the abduction and rape of a Spokane-area real estate agent in 1995.(Source)

Scherf was sentenced in 1997 by Spokane County Superior Court Judge Neal Rielly to a life sentence without chance of parole, after he was convicted of the kidnapping and rape two-years earlier of a 37-year-old woman near Spangle, Wash.

Superior Court Judge Neal Rielly sentenced the killer to several life sentences...

Beindl’s boyfriend,Lawrence Heiser, says Beindl often talked about being overwhelmed in the chapel.”I just can’t see how you can have someone working alone as isolated as she was,” he said.(Source)

Biendl reportedly had complained to supervisors about working alone in the chapel. The 5-foot-3, 130-pound officer also complained that security cameras in the area didn’t work.

“She was feeling unsafe,” about supervising numerous inmates, The Seattle Times quoted Tracey Thompson, secretary-treasurer for the Teamsters Local 117 that represents corrections officers. “My understanding is there were repeated complaints.”(Source)

Prison superintendent Scott Frakes stated he was unaware Biendl had concerns about security.

Prison Superintendent Scott Frakes claims he never received a complaint from the slain officer...

It was Biendl’s responsibility to secure the chapel, solely. After service Saturday night, at about 9:14 p.m., the inmates were counted in their cells.(Source)

Scherf was missing.Three minutes later, at 9:17, Scherf was found in the chapel lobby. He said he was trying to escape.

Officers working alone in a maximum security prison... could lead to death!

It wasn’t until 10:25 p.m. that Beindl’s unresponsive body was discovered inside the chapel.

Emergency responders declared Biendl dead at the scene shortly before 11 p.m. PT, the department said.

In September, Gov. Chris Gregoire ordered agencies, including corrections, to cut 6.3 percent of their spending because of a deficit.(Source)

That worked out to $53 million in cuts for corrections…and may have led to the death of Officer Biendl on Saturday night.

Gov. Chris Gregoire ordered severe budget cuts to the Correctional agency...

Gov. Chris Gregoire issued a statement Sunday saying she had asked Department of Corrections Secretary Eldon Vail to thoroughly review the incident and look at the safeguards in place at the Monroe complex…but whatever she says, it is all too late to save poor officer Jayme Biendl…

Eldon Vail, Secretary, Department of Corrections

“This young woman was devoted to an agency that works around the clock to ensure our communities are safe, which makes her death all the more tragic. I ask all Washingtonians to join me in keeping her loved ones in our thoughts and prayers,” Gregoire said.

(Read from 11/15/2010 prediction…Staff, program cuts could spark prison violence, Teamsters fear)

Officer Biendl,  of Granite Falls, was an eight-year veteran at Monroe and was the 2008 officer of the year.

Officer down...

WAStateC.O.P.S. says Teamsters Local 117 is setting up a memorial fund for donations in support of Biendl’s family.

Cards to the family or Dept. of Corrections may be sent to: Family of Officer Jayme Lee Biendl ,    C/O Teamsters Local 117 ,14675 Interurban Avenue, South, Suite 307, Tukwila, WA 98168(Source)

Correctional Officer Jayme Biendl, 34,strangled while on duty inside the under-staffed prison chapel

(Facebook tribute page)

Comment, and let me know if you think that budget cuts,staff cutbacks,and carelessness by the prison authorities are at cause in the murder of prison officer Jayme Bendl…or was it just a coincidence….may she rest in peace….and may her death not be in vain!!!