Struthers releases jail audit detailing failings of facility
Struthers Jail Audit Report
Struthers jail consultant finally releases final written report on Struthers city jail. Report details compliance issues and recommendations for improvement - most of the issues have been mentioned in previous stories about the jail.
By Sarah Lehr
STRUTHERS
The city has released an audit report that details “consistent disregard” of the state’s minimum regulatory standards and sets a time line for a decision on whether to shutter the facility.
The city hired consultant Robert Pace in March to audit the jail for fees not to exceed $7,000. The audit came at the recommendation of city Attorney John Travis. Struthers retained Travis after being threatened with a lawsuit in December 2015 concerning the September 2015 hanging death of an inmate in the jail.
Last month,the city reached a $750,000 settlement with the inmate’s family.
A city internal investigation found two captains responsible for neglect of duty in the hours leading up to the suicide. One captain had failed to complete inmate checks at least once every hour, and another captain had improperly completed a required screening form, which includes questions about an inmate’s mental health.
At the time of the suicide, the city jail operated as a licensed facility through the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction to house an inmate for up to 12 days at a time.
The jail, however, fails to meet many of the state’s minimum standards for a 12-day facility. After the most-recent state inspection of the jail last Dec. 1, inspectors cited the city for noncompliance with eight standards, including four standards classified as “essential.”
The violations of those essential standards detailed lack of a two-way communication system between cells and a supervisor; insufficient control of keys to cells; insufficient fire drills; and insufficient documented surveillance of inmates.
Documented “direct in-person surveillance” of inmates had similarly been a problem the day of the suicide, which was about two months before the inspection.
Reports show an inspector cited the city for violation of all four of those same essential standards during the previous year’s failed inspection, which found 28 total violations.
After reviewing reports from Pace, Mayor Terry Stocker announced in March he would convert the jail, effective June 1, to a restricted temporary holding facility, or THF.
Such downsized facilities only house inmates awaiting appearances in Struthers Municipal Court for up to six hours at a time three days a week.
Though THFs face the lowest regulatory standards for municipal jails in Ohio, Pace noted the city jail also “does not meet numerous” ODRC minimum standards for a THF.
He focused his audit report on what he termed to be the most crucial standards for safety and avoiding liability.
Among other improvements, Pace calls for the installation of more smoke detectors, better locks on cell doors and a two-way communication system (cameras), which can function as a way for an inmate to call for help during an emergency.
He also instructs the city to remove all vents in jail cells and leave holes in the wall. The inmate found dead in September had hanged himself from tying a sheet to a vent. After his death, the city placed bars over vents in the jail.
“I think the operative word is ‘minimum,”’ Pace said of ODRC standards. “These aren’t onerous. They are essential standards that relate to life-safety. They make sense when you’re responsible for holding a human being.”
As an example, Pace referred to the state’s requirement that an officer log inmate checks at least once every hour.
“That’s not very difficult or very costly to implement and train for,” he said, adding that Mahoning County Sheriff Jerry Greene mandates checks at the county jail every half-hour.
Because the jail was built in 1964, Pace noted the facility’s age presents inherent compliance, fire safety and security challenges.
He recommended the city either spend $30,000 to $50,000 to meet standards and maintain the jail as a restricted THF or close the jail completely.
Stocker must decide by Jan. 1, as the city will need to submit a request for reclassification to state regulators.
Though the jail’s fate is ultimately the mayor’s decision, Stocker has convened a committee of stakeholders to offer input on the lockup and review Pace’s recommendations for improved security throughout city hall and in the courtroom, especially.
Stocker said last week he has not yet reached a decision on whether he would shutter the jail.
In response to Pace’s observation, the city lacked documentation of required officer training on subjects, including suicide prevention, Stocker said, “I want to see what we haven’t done and why we haven’t done it. ... We will get better. I’m going to be supervising that more closely.”
Pace, former director of corrections for the Cuyahoga County Jail, has presented numerous oral reports to city council since March. He released a written audit report summarizing his findings this month and is expected to release appendices to the audit later this week.