Tryon getting new leader

By MICHAEL ANICH, The Leader-Herald

PERTH - There have been changes at the top levels of administrative personnel at the boys side of the state-run Tryon Residential Center in recent weeks, a state official confirmed Monday.

Edward Borges, director of public relations for the state Office of Children & Family Services, confirmed Tryon Limited Secure Facility Director Roger Rascoe has now retired.

Borges said he will be replaced by Joseph Impicciatore, 54, of Clifton Park, who will start as acting director of Tryon's boys facility on Sept. 16.

The Tryon campus in West Perth is split into three main residential areas - Tryon Boys Limited Secure, Tryon Girls Secure and Tryon Girls Limited Secure. The educational component of the campus also is known as Tryon School.

Impicciatore has served as supervisor of facility security since 2004, overseeing security at all OCFS facilities, Borges said. He earns $73,000 annually, although that salary could change.

Borges said Impicciatore is a graduate of the State University of New York at Oswego. He started his career with the former state Division for Youth - now OCFS - as a youth development aide at its Annsville facility in 1979, he said.

Borges said Impicciatore has worked at facilities throughout the area, including Tryon from 1988 to1994, when he helped coordinate services and security.

Impicciatore couldn't be reached this morning.

Tryon has gone through a transitional period in the last couple years. New OCFS Commissioner Gladys Carrion has stressed a rehabilitative way of dealing with residents.

Tryon staff have contacted The Leader-Herald in recent weeks, however, to say the Tryon campus is now a place where staff have less control and residents have become more combative.

A 15-year-old Bronx boy, Darryl Thompson, who had an altercation with Tryon staff in November 2006 at the Tryon Boys Limited Secure facility, had to be restrained and was eventually transported to St. Mary's Hospital in Amsterdam, where he died.

It was the first death of a resident from an incident at an OCFS facility in 12 years, the state said. There are about 30 juvenile detention facilities in the state.

The U.S. Department of Justice is conducting a confidential investigation at Tryon.

Michael Anich covers Fulton County and Johnstown. He can be reached at johnstown@leaderherald.com.