The leader of the labor group that represents most of Ohioâs prison employees says conditions are ripe for another riot like the one that was waged in Lucasville two decades ago. Christopher Mabe with the Ohio Civil Service Employees Association says a new report shows lockups are unsafe. "The corrections inspections committee this week came out with a report that the influence of security threat groups is on the rise, with one in six inmates being affiliated to a prison gang," Mabe says. "At the same time, violence in the prison has also risen in some key areas, particularly violence against staff, and thatâs just not acceptable." Mabe says prisons need millions of dollars more to hire more guards and provide services that make lockups safer.
Jo Ingles is a professional journalist who covers politics and Ohio government for the Ohio Public Radio and Television for the Ohio Public Radio and Television Statehouse News Bureau. She reports on issues of importance to Ohioans including education, legislation, politics, and life and death issues such as capital punishment.