Prisons director removes 2 from Ohio Parole Board
COLUMBUS (AP) — The state prisons chief has removed two of the nine members of the Ohio Parole Board.
The Dayton Daily News reports Director Gary Mohr removed Cathy Collins-Taylor and Jose Torres from the board this week without much explanation. A spokeswoman said only that Mohr is making changes to improve the prisons system and is looking to find “the right people for the right positions.”
The board considers the possible release of thousands of inmates. Ohio’s parole rate was 6.9 percent last year, down from about 26 percent in 2001 and more than 48 percent in 2004.
The board also reviews clemency requests from condemned inmates.
The members who were removed had participated in the most recent clemency decision, with one in favor of mercy and the other against it.