CORRECTIONS Capt. James Bailey fields questions about future operation of Two Bridges Regional Jail after Lincoln and Sagadahoc Multi-county Jail Authority chairwoman Mary Trescot, left, announced Wednesday that Correctional Administrator Mark Westrum has been placed on paid administrative leave.

Mark Westrum, correctional administrator of Two Bridges Regional Jail in Wiscasset, has been placed on paid administrative leave following his arrest for allegedly operating under the influence in Bath on Friday night.

Westrum, who has worked as the top administrator at the jail since 2008, was stopped on Front Street for allegedly driving without his headlights on, and subsequently arrested and charged with OUI. He was taken to the Bath Police Department and later released on personal recognizance. He is scheduled to appear in West Bath District Court on Nov. 22.

On Wednesday, the Lincoln and Sagadahoc Multi-county Jail Authority held a special meeting at the jail and agreed to enter into executive session six minutes into the meeting to “discuss the appointment, assignment and duties of an individual,” according to the agenda.

After spending approximately an hour behind closed doors, media was allowed back into the meeting room where jail authority members voted unanimously to place Westrum on paid administrative leave until the next regular meeting on Nov. 9.

“The decision by the jail authority follows the arrest of the administrator by the Bath Police Department for operating under the influence,” jail authority chairwoman Mary Trescot said, reading from a prepared statement after the vote.

“The action is taken in accordance with Two Bridges Regional Jail policy and procedure, and ensures that daily operations continue uninterrupted,” Trescot said.

She said Corrections Capt. James Bailey has assumed the duties of administrator pending future action by the authority.

Trescot said the jail authority will discuss how to move forward at its Nov. 9 meeting based on the information available at that point.

At the start of the meeting during the staffing update, Bailey said there had been three resignations, including a supervisor, since the last meeting. That leaves nine open positions as of Nov. 3, he said.

Trescot said she has no concerns about operation of the jail while Westrum is on leave and with Bailey taking on his duties, adding, “James has been an integral part of the jail in the past.”

Bailey said he will have more oversight of the budget and overall operation of the facility. As of Wednesday, he said there would be no extra cost associated with his additional duties and said the jail has resources it can utilize to ensure the jail runs safely.

Bailey said he was hired in August 2005 before the jail opened in November 2006.

Westrum was absent at the jail Tuesday and Wednesday and took earned leave, Trescot said.

She said Westrum hasn’t had personnel issues in the past.

According to jail policy, allegations of improper conduct or criminal allegations made against the correctional administrator will be referred to the jail authority chair, who will review the complaint with the executive committee and determine the proper course of action and based on the veracity and seriousness of the complaint and if necessary, identify the agency that will conduct the investigation.

The executive committee coordinates any investigative activity and may elect to place the correctional administrator on paid leave pending the outcome of the investigation, the policy states.

dmoore@timesrecord.com

Alleged activity

• MARK WESTRUM was stopped on Front Street in Bath for allegedly driving without his headlights on, and subsequently arrested and charged with OUI. He was taken to the Bath Police Department and later released on personal recognizance. He is scheduled to appear in West Bath District Court on Nov. 22.