At union’s urging, State to hire more correction officers
DRC to transfer $14 million to cover costs of inmate growth

Nov. 14, 2006 - The Controlling Board yesterday approved a $14 million transfer to help address the effects of a rapid rise in inmate population. Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections officials requested the supplemental funding following the union’s repeated warnings about prison overcrowding and understaffing.

The union has been told the increase will result in the addition of correction officers.

“This is a positive development,” said Ohio Civil Service Employees Association President Ron Alexander. OCSEA, which represents nearly 10,000 prison workers, labeled the move a “good start.” The funding supplement is a step in the right direction, but more is needed, according to the union.

OCSEA Executive Director Andy Douglas said, “The union is pleased that the administration and Director Collins have taken some action to respond to concerns that we have been expressing for a number of months. It is clearly documented that overcrowding and understaffing result in safety and security issues. The move comes not a moment too soon.”

During the last several months, the union has not been silent.

• Douglas and OCSEA/DRC Assembly President Tim Shafer met in July with DRC Director Terry Collins to discuss various solutions to the overcrowding and understaffing problems. The department’s efforts to correct the problems were limited by budget constraints, according to department officials.

• On several occasions, OCSEA members picketed outside of state prisons to protest dangerous working conditions and to increase community awareness of the seriousness of the situation.

• Union officials sent letters in July and October to Gov. Bob Taft about the need for more funding. In those letters, the department’s own statistics were cited.

In an Aug. 31 letter, Douglas and OCSEA President Ron Alexander urged Taft to take quick action. “Despite this dangerous situation, we have learned that you have not sought additional funding to alleviate the situation and also oppose using some of the State of Ohio’s revenue surplus to provide more assistance to the Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections.”   

Later, in an Oct. 24 letter, the union warned that the inmate-to-correction officer ratio was approaching the pre-Lucasville riot levels. Again, Douglas and Alexander urged the governor to address the dangerous situation in Ohio’s prison system.  

Shafer said the State has made the right decision and none too soon. “It is our hope that this good faith effort is a sign of things to come.”

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Controlling Board Agenda for Nov. 13, 2006