Akron lawyers to monitor activities at Mahoning jail

The misdemeanant jail is required to offer inmate
services, the letter says.

YOUNGSTOWN — Akron lawyers who won an inmates class-action federal lawsuit will be back in town in the next week or two for a monitoring visit.

During that visit, the lawyers will review facilities at the misdemeanant jail and the implementation of inmate programs, according to a letter Akron attorney Robert Armbruster sent to Community Corrections Association on Market Street. The jail holds 96 nonviolent offenders, typically those convicted of driving drunk.

Armbruster’s letter was in response to one written by Richard J. Billak, CCA chief executive officer, who asked about inmate program services in the aftermath of a federal consent decree. Billak, in his letter, said it is his understanding that the jail intends to use volunteers to provide services.

Sheriff Randall A. Wellington could not be reached Friday.

What happened

Billak said CCA had a contract to provide inmate services until the jail closed in March 2005 in a budget crunch. That month, Armbruster and Thomas Kelley won the class-action lawsuit that involved jail crowding and staffing.

As a result of the lawsuit, the main jail, the Mahoning County Justice Center, reduced its inmate population, and the misdemeanant jail closed. Both facilities are fully open again.

In his letter to Armbruster, Billak said program services, such as the opportunity for alcohol and drug abuse treatment, academic training, psychological and social services, are required by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction. He pointed out that the MSMJ is not to confine anyone unless it is in compliance with all minimum standards.

If the jail has established a volunteer program to meet the requirements, Billak said he wants to know how the services compare with what his agency has previously provided and if the services are in compliance with ODRC requirements.