http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/03245/217277.stm David Girman of Pittston, Luzerne County, said his sister, Lisa, 35, a state trooper assigned to patrol duty at the Hazleton barracks in Luzerne County, had stood up to superiors, alleging that poor management of the camp had lowered morale.
Girman said his sister first confronted superiors about their decision to hire as an assistant a prisoner nicknamed "Sammy the Kickboxer." Girman said his sister told him the prisoner, so named because he repeatedly had lashed out at MPs, was given permission to dine with U.S. troops and wander about their living quarters.
Thomas, the Army spokesman, acknowledged Sammy the Kickboxer's presence at camp but denied he was hired by commanding officers. Thomas said he knew of no morale problem.
Girman said his sister also faulted superiors for suggesting they could provide more food and speedier hearings to prisoners, raising false hopes among the Iraqis that prompted two riots the week before Easter.
During one riot, Girman said, a commanding officer retreated, stranding soldiers in the prisoners' living area. He said his sister led a rescue, raising her standing among troops who had begun to lose faith in the camp's leadership.
Linda Edmondson of South Abington, Lackawanna County, said her daughter, Shawna, 24, in civilian life a public safety officer at the University of Scranton, also had hinted at leadership problems. She said her daughter mentioned a "Palm Sunday Riot" in which a major "ran and hid behind a water tank and left the kids there."