TRUMBULL COUNTY Report: City jail is below standard

Hubbard's jail needs a fire alarm system, a state inspection found.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
HUBBARD -- Police, visitors and inmates may face added risk at the aged city jail, says the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections.
The jail, built in 1870, also didn't fare well in a separate inspection conducted by the state fire marshal's office.
"We encourage local officials to remedy this situation and submit documentation to support remedies to our office as soon as possible," wrote Coleman Connors, inspector with the department's bureau of adult detention.
The assessment followed a Sept. 7 inspection of the facility that showed the capacity of five male prisoners should be reduced to four. The jail is qualified to house prisoners for five days; the inmate reduction is based on criteria such as available space.
Connors wrote in his report that the jail must have a designated physician who would be responsible for health-care services. The physician must prepare a medical and health-care plan covering all aspects medical treatment and services to prisoners.
Connors recommended that the jail have a fire drill for each shift every three months.
Failure to correct the deficiencies increases the liability for the jail and "may create risk to staff, visitors and inmates."
Previous problems
The West Liberty Street jail at the police station has long been under scrutiny by the city administration, members of council and members of the police department.
In 2002, the Trumbull County Health Department discovered mold in the building and the basement was closed and other remedial actions taken.
One of Mayor Arthur U. Magee's priorities if the 0.5 percent increase in the city income tax is approved on Nov. 2 is to construct a new police building.
Increasing the tax from 1 percent to 1.5 percent will generate about $950,000 annually.
The fire marshal's Code Enforcement Bureau inspection conducted Aug. 6 found no fire alarm system in the jail. The jail area also lacks general lighting and lighted exit signs.
The marshal's report also called for the elimination of extension cords in the office area.
"All we're lacking are a few paper adjustments," Police Chief Marty Kanetsky said Thursday.
Kanetsky said he doesn't want to spend money on a fire alarm system until after the income tax issue is resolved. If it passes, it will probably trigger construction of a new police station.
Kanetsky said he will ask for a 30-day extension that will take the city past the election before making a decision on making the corrections sought by the fire marshal.
yovich@vindy.com