COLUMBUS, Ohio — Editor's note: the video in the player above is from a story published on December 1, 2020.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced today that he has issued a proclamation authorizing the Ohio National Guard to provide additional security support at local jails if needed.
The proclamation comes as a response to a significant number of COVID-19 infections plaguing state, county and local corrections officers, reducing staffing levels required to operate safely and adequately at some facilities across the state.
The document reads:
"The novel coronavirus has spread throughout the prison population and the correctional staff at multiple state correctional facilities, county jails, and other confinement facilities and the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections requires assistance at these facilities throughout the state with maintaining security in order to protect the public and the inmate population and to enforce the laws of the state...county and local governments have requested assistance from the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections with staffing their jail and confinement facilities and the Ohio Department of Rehabilitations and Corrections requires assistance not only with providing security at its own facilities, but also with assisting county and local governments with providing security at those facilities due to an increase of COVID-19 infections amongst correctional officers at those facilities."
The proclamation amends a former proclamation issued on April 22, 2020 authorizing similar assistance from the Ohio National Guard at state confinement facilities.
Cuyahoga County Chief of Public Safety and Justice Services Bob Coury released the following statement:
"As you know, in July 2019, there were approximately 2,300 inmates in the County jail. Today, there are 1,351. Seventy five percent of the inmates remaining are dangerous people, they have outstanding warrants, or have been arrested for sexual, violent, and other serious offenses. They cannot be summarily released into the community.
"This virus is everywhere in Cuyahoga County and this community spike is reflected in our jail. Currently, there are 237 COVID positive inmates. Inmate safety is always of paramount concern. We understand the health risk that COVID can present. We will continue to provide the best care possible for the inmates who remain and assure a safe environment for our employees.
"We understand that the lower the jail population the easier it is to isolate inmates to reduce COVID transmission. The strategy last spring, as it is today, is to release as many inmates as possible. Since this pandemic began, every day we and our Justice partners have worked to release those inmates who do not present a serious threat to the community. As another example of this effort, today, the Sheriff is issuing another order releasing any remaining municipal misdemeanants other than those charged with domestic violence. And, Governor DeWine just authorized the Ohio National Guard to provide security support at local jails, an offer we will accept.
"Together, we will continue our efforts toward reducing the jail population for the safety of our inmates balanced against the safety of the community."