A Center Township man wants the Butler County Prison to have a citizens oversight committee.

David Hibbard told the county prison board Tuesday that such a committee would ensure nothing would be covered up at the prison.

Hibbard said Warden Joe DeMore should have to answer to the public.

“He’s in a position where he can blow smoke up everybody’s patootie,” Hibbard said.

Sheriff Mike Slupe, chairman of the prison board, assured the man there is oversight for the prison.

Slupe explained the prison board, which has seven elected officials, oversees the jail. He did stress that some information the board reviews needs to remain private.

Along with the sheriff, the board members are the three county commissioners, the county controller, the district attorney and a county judge.

“As a voter, that doesn’t give me any confidence whatsoever,” Hibbard said.

He said there needs to be an outlet for information to be made public as well as for bringing ideas to the board.

Hibbard said he was counting on Commissioner Kevin Boozel to help his cause.

“I’m counting on you to bring change to the county,” Hibbard said.

Boozel said the board would consider some discussion on the topic.

“I do believe in transparency,” Boozel said.

Hibbard said in an interview he was concerned about a recent survey of a sampling of inmates indicating they felt safe.

He questioned which inmates were selected as they would not represent how all inmates feel.

When asked what his interest was in conditions at the prison, Hibbard replied: “Because I’m a citizen.”