Second-ranking state prison administrator arrested

Scott Kernan, the second-ranking administrator of California’s prison system, has been arrested on suspicion of driving while under the influence of alcohol in his state car, triggering a disciplinary review and postponement of a June 24 state Senate confirmation hearing, a spokesman said Wednesday.

Kernan, 47, was appointed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in November as undersecretary for prison operations for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, a job that had him running the state’s 33 prisons on a daily basis, said agency spokesman Seth Unger.

The arrest was made at 8:10 p.m. Sunday by California Highway Patrol officers in Sacramento County. Kernan has been placed on paid personnel leave pending possible disciplinary action that could range from suspension to termination, Unger said.

Kernan “notified the [CDCR] secretary immediately and expressed deep remorse for his actions," Unger said.

Kernan started work for the agency in 1983 as a correctional officer and later worked as a warden.

-- Patrick McGreevy in Sacramento

Comments

[boo boo]

Yesterday one of our cops was arrested for murder and today the head of our prisons is arrested.
Is this justice or just plain embarrassing?
What next?

[jggrimm]

Oh my gosh, he's human.

[Flaberghasted]

What's next?!? Ahnold is going to punch out Michelle. That's what!

[Dr. B. Cayenne Bird]

Scott Kernan is a professional punisher who has been a warden and assistant warden at several of California's troubled prisons, dealing out horrible decisions for those who are alleged to have broken the laws. He is a key defendant in a lawsuit about to come to trial over abuses at Mule Creek Prison. Not too long ago the CDCr spokesperson was also arrested for a DUI. He continued working but we haven't heard from him in awhile. Where is accountability? Karma has a way of full circling, does it not?

[Buchanan]

Maybe he will now understand how one moment, one poor judgement can destroy what people have worked to attain.

Why in this economy which seniors getting cut to their SSI, is he driving around on a Sunday in a state issued car?

Time he learns a lesson just as all the other low level offenders have. What goes around, comes around, they always say.

[Toni Sevchuk]

Hmmm, interesting. I suppose maybe they might get off their high horses and realize that we are all human and capable of breaking the law. Next time (if there is a next time?) he walks down a prison corridor he might come across an inmate who has made the same mistake, but wasn't so lucky and have some mercy for the fellow/s?

[kb]

it should be a reminder to those individuals that participate in law enforcement and the judicial system, everyone is human and makes mistakes, including those who hold top positions.

[nora weber]

Praise the lord and pass the arrest. Another one bites the dust. I would like to shake the hand of the policemen who haul these prison officials into jail.

I had one guard at Corcoran Prison tell me, the CHP is not very nice to us. They won't even give us a break if we get stopped. We can show them our prison I.D. card and they don't even care who we work for.

Doesn''t that just go to show you, they think they are above the law. There is no reason why prison employees should get a break from the law. They sure think they should. Well I think this guy ought to go to prison for about 18 years like my son.

[Caliworker]

Amazing,this is the guy who sat and passed judgement,over and over on helpless inmates under his command,yet he is nothing but a criminal with a badge.Watch and listen,while the CDCR lets anothwer walk free.They will send him off to another high ranking job,to ruin more lives in his holier than thou manner.Nothing changes,the CDCR people can do what they want,its a fact.Basically they can get away with murder,and have......

[g.m.]

Norma, what year did you parole? I forgot.

[Jim]

I wonder what the lady whose son got 18 years in prison did? Why would she wish 18 years for a DUI on somebody?

[Frank Courser]

Advice to Scott Kernan, Don’t go drinking with Lance Corcoran anymore!

[LAGIRL]

This man committed a crime and should be punished. He has a drinking problem and risked many lives when he decided to break the law. Yes, we all make mistakes, but we don't all break the law. He BROKE THE LAW!!! Quit making excuses for him. Everyone at CDC should be embarrased that he is their boss. He brings shame to your department. Someone should investigate how many of the executives at CDC drink and drive on a daily basis. It would not take much, just go to R15 or Hanger in Sacramento and you will see them pound their drinks then get in their cars. These are not your rank and file, these are employees making over 100K a year!!! These are the people running CDC. It goes to show the arrogance of the people there. Get it together CDC!!! You should be ashamed of yourself!!!

[B]

Well, Mr. Kernan made a poor choice. I myself work for CDCR and when I chose to drink, I either get a designated driver like my son or call a cab. I DO value my job and have seen others continue to make a poor choice to drink and drive. When people such as Mr Kernan get to their level, political appointment, they become much like other politicians and think they can get away with everything even drive a state vehicle any where he wants to. It also shows Arnold that he doesn't always make the right choices in his appointments. He's another one who thinks he's above the law. Remember, Mr. Kernan may only get charged with a misdemeanor depending on the level of alcohol in his system. Let's see if he gets his license suspended and that he has to do the DUI classes like us at the lower levels. NO EXCEPTIONS.....ARNOLD!!!
And to the lady who said give him 18 years, her son must have been a chronic offender. Anyone that gets three or more DUI's may end up going to prison. Mad Mother's Against Drunk Drivers has made sure of that.

[LadyofState]

OK, forget the fact that the man works for CDCR for a minute. He is a man who got caught drinking and driving. For those of you who are connecting crime with CDCR and trying to punish CDCR for his screw up, STOP. Instead, put the focus on the fact that he chose to drink and get behind the wheel! He needs to be punished for his actions as a human and not a State worker! There are people everyday who choose to drink and drive, they range from welfare recipients, minors, and yes high ranking officials. Anyone who chooses to drink and drive should, in my mind, be punished for premeditated or attempted murder. There are too many who choose to drink and drive and too many have lost their lives because of this type of stupidity!!

[Nancy Drew]

Not unlike his co-workers, Mr. Kernan, has blown it....
26 years....take your retirement now, Kernan--however, at the rate you earn, and b/c the CDCR thinks its great to have high-ranking officials retire and then return as a retired annuitant...go ahead, earn two paychecks while ON ADMINISTRATIVE PAID LEAVE!

Why is he being paid?.....MAKE HIM TAKE TIME UNPAID! Can he call in sick? not under our rules. Can he use vacation time? Only approved by his supervisor, Matthew Cate.

Might as well retire.

Oh, and when Nancy finds out that you got "probation" and did not have to participate in the "first conviction program" per State law...she will be revealing that to the "authorities" too.

Wait! Is it your FIRST DUI.....hmm....Nancy has to begin her investigation into his legal history right away.....Gotta run.....

"where do we start?"
(Nancy pauses and turns to her long time girlfriend George, and says:

"Nancy's first question in this mystery is:

WHY IS HE DRIVING A STATE CAR? and WHY IS HE DRIVING IT ON A SUNDAY! "

[joseph micheal kernan]

thats my uncle and mayby you guys should think of what dumb crap you have all done and wanted forgiveness hes a good man.and very very human and im sure is very sorry.