Ohio panel to hear from prison director on budget

COLUMBUS (AP) — An Ohio House committee is ready to question the man overseeing budget-cutting changes for Ohio prisons.

Gov. John Kasich wants to sell five prisons to private operators, overhaul the state’s sentencing laws and charge inmates for electricity in an effort to save the state millions of dollars amid an $8 billion budget shortfall.

Prisons director Gary Mohr was expected to appear before the committee later today to discuss the plans.

Selling the five prisons could raise $200 million. Under Ohio law, private operators have to deliver 5 percent savings over similar, public facilities — which the state estimates will mean $9.3 million over the two-year budget cycle.

Mohr has said no employee who wants to stay in corrections will lack for a job under the plan.