The State : Folsom Warden May Quit

Folsom Prison Warden Joe Campoy, whose appointment last year by Gov. George Deukmejian stirred controversy, has taken sick leave and is considering resigning his $59,500-a-year job because of health problems. Officials of the state Department of Corrections said that Campoy, 63, has been suffering from high blood pressure and has been under a doctor’s care since Tuesday. Corrections spokesman Robert Gore said that Campoy is considering a disability retirement, among other options. In March, the state Senate narrowly confirmed Campoy’s appointment amid charges that he tolerated sexual harassment of female guards. Campoy has been under continued pressure from critics in the Legislature who note that Folsom has been hit by a rash of violence including 134 stabbings this year. Several guards at Folsom also have come under investigation for allegedly falsifying reports and conspiring to commit perjury. Campoy began his career as a Folsom guard 39 years ago.