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Jail to acquire new camera system
Officials want to take advantage of new technology.
LISBON — Nothing says it’s time for a security upgrade like unnoticed escaping prisoners jumping off the front of the Columbiana County Jail.
The commissioners on Wednesday approved the purchase and installation of a new camera system at the jail.
There’s no fence at the front of the jail, and the commissioners didn’t want to discuss the location of current cameras for safety reasons.
But Commissioner Jim Hoppel said that in the 13 years since the jail was expanded, camera technology has greatly improved.
“These are much better cameras with much better views,” Hoppel said. “It’s part of an upgrade of all our security equipment. We want to make sure that these kinds of escapes do not happen.”
The commissioners approved the contract with Radi-O-Sound in Salem to install the cameras. The work will cost $8,600. The cameras will cost $47,684 and will be purchased through a state purchasing program. Hoppel said the county has the funds to pay for the work.
Four prisoners broke out of the jail late on Aug. 17 without being spotted. They were recaptured the next day near Pittsburgh along with an accomplice.
The county owns the jail but leases it to Community Education Centers, a New Jersey-based private company that runs correction operations.
Peter Argeropulos, senior vice president for the CEC, wasn’t sure if there were cameras on the front of the building.
The jail complex also houses the sheriff’s and county coroner’s offices.
Hoppel did say that at least one camera in the current system is broken.
The new system will have 15 cameras surrounding the jail, located in a remote area on County Home Road west of Lisbon. The cameras will be covered for protection against the weather, capture in color and can detect in the dark.
Four prisoners got into a maintenance closet and were able to access and move through a crawl space to eventually reach the roof. They dropped off the front of the jail, where there is no fence, and took off.
Hoppel said work has been done at the jail to prevent access to the crawl space.
The warden of the jail or county Sheriff Ray Stone can access the system and see what is happening. Stone was unavailable for comment.
Deputies said there have been few escapes from the jail.
The onset of winter may actually speed installation.
Hoppel said frozen ground would support a bucket truck, needed to install the cameras, better than muddy ground.
Three CEC workers were fired in the wake of the escape and new bed checks were instituted. The prisoners used blankets and pillows to make it appear that they were in bed.
Those involved in the case were Jason Heffner, of Salineville, who faces charges of escape, receiving stolen property, burglary and nonsupport.
Candy Kibler of Lisbon, who was Heffner’s girlfriend, is serving a 10-month sentence for obstruction of justice in the escape.
John Hamilton, of Salem, is awaiting sentencing on the escape charge. He also faces an identity-theft charge.
Mark Foden, of East Liverpool, is serving a four-year sentence for robbery and escape.
William Merritt of East Liverpool faces escape, burglary, receiving stolen property and aggravated robbery charges.
wilkinson@vindy.com