Ohio State Penitentiary guard arraigned on assault charge

YOUNGSTOWN — An Ohio State Penitentiary corrections officer charged with misdemeanor assault of an inmate was arraigned today in municipal court and released on his own recognizance.

Kevin Shimko, 39, of Hubbard is accused of twice ramming an inmate’s head into a cell door on April 1, 2006. Shimko was fired July 31, 2006 for using excess force and, after winning a grievance, was rehired Oct. 29, 2006.

If convicted of assault, Shimko will not face discipline at the supermax prison because the matter was already investigated internally, according to spokesman Keith Fletcher.

Shimko is one of four corrections officers charged this week with assault.