Welcome to the Corrections Center of Northwest Ohio
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Area prosecutors will have an opportunity to use jail technology while offender population numbers were on the increase as board members learned during Wednesday’s meeting of the Corrections Commission of Northwest Ohio.
Jim Dennis, CCNO Executive Director, reported that area prosecutors will be provided information allowing them to access CCNO video technology in an attempt to resolve outstanding charges for those currently incarcerated in Ohio state prisons.
Mr. Dennis explained that currently a person might be released from prison only to learn that he has an outstanding misdemeanor or felony charge, resulting in being re-arrested and brought to CCNO until the matter is resolved. Now, prosecutors have access to video conferencing equipment at CCNO that is linked to every state prison and to include the community based corrections facility in Bowling Green.
The CCNO video conferencing equipment is also available to area judges. It was recently used by Henry County Common Pleas Judge Keith Muehlfeld who conducted an initial video hearing for a state prisoner who was in the midst of being classified as a sex offender.
By prosecutors and judges using the available video technology, said Mr. Dennis, it’s a win-win situation by resolving outstanding holders, clearing court dockets, reducing prison runs and enhancing security measures.
Board members learned that CCNO’s population count Wednesday morning stood at 606 or 94 percent. Fulton County was over its count by six (allocated 50 beds) while Lucas County was over by five (197.) Both Toledo (244) and Williams County (50) were also given notice that their populations were over 90 percent. Notices were sent to area judges requesting early releases to avoid the closing of jail doors.
Board members unanimously supported draft legislation that would reduce the CCNO board members from 18 to 12 due to a state judicial ethics ruling in December 2003 not allowing judges to serve on any corrections boards.
The proposed legislative draft recommends the all regional jail boards consist of a county sheriff or city police chief as well as county commissioner or municipal mayor. There are three other regional jails in Ohio. Board members were advised that two judges on other regional jail boards recommended the addition of another county elected official recommended by the commissioners. This recommendation was not supported by CCNO members.
Under the CCNO legislative proposal, the remaining members would be county commissioners and sheriffs from Lucas, Defiance, Henry, Fulton and Williams counties as well as the police chief and mayor from the City of Toledo.
Also proposed is the creation of a separate judges’ advisory board that would include a common pleas judge and municipal court judge from each participating member.
In his operational report, Mr. Dennis said CCNO was recently inspected by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections Bureau of Adult Detention. He noted the overall inspection went well and anticipated a recommendation to increase light wattage in some cells. Also the Public Employees Risk Reduction agency conducted a safety inspection and all went well.
Board members approved a 36-month lease agreement with BI Behavioral Interventions for electronic monitoring equipment at a cost of $5,564.15 per month. It was noted that the costs would be paid by program participants.
Two purchases were recommended while a roof bid will be sought. A proposal of $20,167.86 from Arco Inc. was accepted for the purchase of two new convention ovens. Also approved was a time keeping software/card swipe system from Unitime Time & Attendance Systems at a cost of $14,995. Board members also authorized a bid be sought for roof replacement.
Members were informed of a new offender program – TAMAR – made available to female offenders who have been impacted by trauma, chemical dependency and other mental health issues. Treatment services include group and individual counseling as well as linkage to outside treatment providers upon release. Grant funding was awarded to the Lucas County Mental Health Board that contracted with Five County Drug/Alcohol to conduct the program at CCNO.
Board members also received copies of the CCNO Fiscal Year 2005 annual report. It noted the population averaged 575 with a total of 9,062 offenders booked. Also noted are annual inspections, objectives, offender transports and department reports. The report can be accessed on CCNO’s web page at www.ccnoregionaljail.org.
Members met in executive session for 18 minutes to discuss union negotiations. No action was taken.
For More Information Contact:
Corrections Center of Northwest Ohio
03151 County Road 2425, Stryker, OH
Tel: 419-428-3800
FAX: 419-428-2119
Internet:
ccno@bright.net
This site was updated on April 14, 2008