Welcome to the Corrections Center of Northwest Ohio
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Population numbers continue to climb while equipment was damaged by recent flooding in Toledo as board members learned during Wednesday’s meeting of the Corrections Commission of Northwest Ohio.
Jim Dennis, CCNO Executive Director, told board members that “business has been really good” as offender population numbers remain at 90 percent or higher. Today’s count stood at 591 or 92 percent. He noted the female population was considerably higher than normal, standing at 111 vs. the average of 90. He added that administrative releases were being sought in an effort to reduce population numbers.
The average population stood at 92 percent or 590 in April and at 91 percent or 586 in May.
Mr. Dennis advised board members that the recent flooding in Toledo damaged two computers and a CCNO owned vehicle at the electronic monitoring office. The actual amount of damage is still being determined and claims will be made to the insurance company.
In other business, Fulton County Common Pleas Judge James Barber reported that legislation is still pending 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. He noted that another regional jail official questions the creation of a separate judges’ advisory board that would include common pleas judges and municipal court judges from the participating jurisdictions. Also being discussed is the addition of another county elected official on the board. There are three other regional jails in Ohio.
In his operational report, Mr. Dennis said he recently traveled to Maryland to observe the first TAMAR program in operation as well as attending additional training in Columbus. TAMAR is a new offender program 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 agreed to accept closed bids on two used natural gas convention ovens that were recently replaced in the kitchen. They also approved the purchase of a second vehicle for use by electronic monitoring staff at a cost not to exceed $15,000. Grant funds of $12,411 will be used to offset the cost.
Members met in executive session for 27 minutes to discuss union negotiations. No action was taken.
This site was updated on April 14, 2008