A Centre County Prison guard of seven years was fired after allegations of verbal abuse, but the decision is being challenged.

Lt. Michael Williams, who received outstanding praise in past performance evaluations, was dismissed following accusations of verbal mistreatment from a prisoner.

Williams has filed a grievance procedure, which by law entitles him to a hearing before the Centre County Board of Commissioners, said Oliver Goodman, commissioners personnel director.

If an employee is not satisfied with the result of an employer's decision, he can institute this procedure, Goodman said.

Williams is contesting the decision, said his attorney, R. Bruce Manchester.

A closed hearing will be held at 3 p.m. tomorrow in Bellefonte, he said.

Inmate Mark Turner complained he was verbally abused by Williams on Aug. 12. Williams was suspended without pay and his position was later terminated after a meeting between Prison Warden Gerald Wilson and the commissioners.

The decision was made solely on the basis of Williams' confrontation with Turner and not on any prior occurrences, Wilson said.

"This incident pretty much stands alone," he said.

Manchester said the incident occurred after an unknown trustee inmate -- an inmate with special privileges -- told Williams that Turner had threatened to kill him and his family, Manchester said, adding the incident was misreported by the other guards.

"(Williams) has been a valued and tenured employee, and we have documentation to prove it," Manchester said.