Take another look at prisons

Take another look at prisons

Tiffin Advertiser-Tribune: Twenty years ago , many Ohioans were stunned when inmates at a state prison in Lucasville went on an 11-day rampage. In addition to murdering nine fellow inmates, the rioters took several guards hostage.

When their demands were not met quickly enough to suit them, some of the rioters murdered guard Robert Vallandingham. He was strangled to death.

Eventually, the rioters were subdued. Five were sentenced to death for their roles in the butchery.

State officials improved conditions at Lucasville and other prisons in efforts to avoid similar outbreaks in the future.

Now, however, warnings are being heard that problems such as those blamed for the Lucasville riot have crept back into the prison system. State officials should take a critical look at the prison system, to prevent surprises such as the bloody one in 1993.