Columbiana Co. prisoner transport program to change

LISBON — For many years, Columbiana County deputies spent a great deal of time driving prisoners to and from jails.

That’s about to change for those charged with misdemeanors.

County Sheriff Ray Stone has discovered that Ohio law requires the arresting agency to transport defendants to and from jail while their misdemeanor case is pending.

Stone said that the sheriff’s office by law will continue to handle transportation in all felony cases.

The sheriff made the discovery while trying to find additional money for his

department to get more deputies out on patrol.

Stone said the opinions say that a “deputy bailiff of the court” is the first person to transport prisoners. Judge Mark Frost of municipal court said his bailiff operation was not set up to transport prisoners.

For the complete story, see Friday's Vindicator and Vindy.com