Teamsters Mourn Slain Washington State Corrections Officer Jayme Lee Biendl

Reduction in Staff, Programming at Facilities Has Put Corrections Employees at Risk

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The International Brotherhood of Teamsters is mourning the death of Washington State Corrections Officer Jayme Lee Biendl, who was slain at a prison chapel, allegedly by an inmate.

Officer Biendl, an 8-year veteran of the Department of Corrections and the 2008 Correctional Officer of the Year, had been assigned to monitor the chapel when she was killed on Jan. 29. Officer Biendl was 34 years old and a member of Teamsters Local 117 in Tukwila, Wash.

"No words can express how deeply saddened the Teamster family is over the death of our sister, Jayme Lee Biendl," said Jim Hoffa, Teamsters General President. "Public safety needs to be our number one priority in every state across the country. It should not take the death of a dedicated corrections officer like Jayme Lee Biendl for government officials to understand the importance of protecting those who serve and protect us."

Officer Biendl had raised security concerns about working alone in the prison chapel and inadequate video surveillance equipment, said Tracey A. Thompson, Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 117 in Tukwila, Wash. Within the past several months, Biendl had completed a work order requesting additional cameras in the chapel.

"We are all saddened by this terrible tragedy," Thompson said. "It is outrageous that it took one of our members being murdered for the state to listen to correctional workers' pleas to stop cutting staff and eliminating programs, which puts staff at risk."

Teamster correctional employees across Washington state have been speaking out for months against budget cuts that have reduced staffing levels and programming at prison facilities.

On December 9, 2010, more than 400 correctional employees, their families, and other Teamster members, rallied on the steps of the State Capitol in Olympia in an effort to stop budget cuts that they say are endangering the lives of prison workers and their communities.

"Officer Biendl was an outstanding law enforcement professional, and she was beloved by her family, friends, and her co-workers.  Our thoughts, prayers, and heartfelt condolences go out to her loved ones," Thompson said.

In honor of Officer Biendl, Washington State Governor Christine Gregoire ordered that flags fly at half staff on Tuesday. The Governor has ordered an independent investigation by the National Institute of Corrections to review the incident.  

Teamsters Local 117 has established the Jayme Biendl Benevolent Fund.  Proceeds will offset funeral expenses and go to Officer Biendl's family. Donations can be made at any Bank of America branch. Donations can also be mailed to:

Founded in 1903, the Teamsters Union represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, including thousands of law enforcement officers in over 1,400 departments and agencies.

SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters