An investigation into alleged misconduct by Mike Lyon, superintendent of the Southern State Correctional Facility, was determined to be unfounded, the Vermont Department of Corrections announced Monday.
“Lyon will immediately return to his position at the Springfield facility,” according to a department press release. “Interim Superintendent Monique Sullivan will resume her position as Living Unit Supervisor.”
The Department of Corrections never specified the nature of the misconduct allegation against Lyon.
Back in April, Lyon was placed on paid leave after the corrections department received a complaint from within the prison, Haley Sommer, a department spokesperson, told VTDigger at the time.
The investigation was not related to the spate of deaths at the Springfield prison — 12 since January 2022 — according to corrections officials.
Monday’s press release from the department said the state Department of Human Resources handled the investigation and found “witness accounts and documentary evidence disproved the claim of misconduct.”
In a statement, Nick Deml, corrections commissioner, called the news a “prime example of a thorough investigatory process working as it should.”
“Our Department treats allegations of misconduct with the utmost seriousness, which is why we immediately refer these claims for independent external review,” Deml said in the statement. “In this case, clear and robust evidence quickly showed the allegation to be unfounded. I am pleased to welcome Superintendent Mike Lyon back to Springfield and have complete faith in his leadership and integrity.”
