'Death Row 2' opens doors at Chillicothe facility
Death row inmates will be housed at Chillicothe Correctional Institution
The smell of fresh paint still lingers in the hall leading to what now is called Death Row 2 at Chillicothe Correctional Institution.
Although the paint is fresh and security enhancements have been made, the block still embodies the character of the building. CCI was built in the 1930s as a federal reformatory and once was the temporary home for some high-profile inmates, including Charles Manson.
Just more than a week ago, CCI's newest high-profile inmates began to settle into Death Row 1 -- one of three housing units in a segregated block. Warden Norm Robinson said he watched as staff kind of froze as the new inmates were taken into the prison.
"Most people have never seen someone on death row before," said Robinson, who was promoted from deputy warden at CCI to warden in November.
Any anxiety about the unexpected quickly faded as they realized these men were like other inmates, Robinson said.
"They are inmates and they have needs all inmates have," he said.
Getting prepared
Since the decision was made by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections in October to move death row to CCI, staff have worked to prepare themselves and the facility for the change in security.
"We did a crash research project with a lot of different staff within the facility. ... Everyone stepped up to the challenge ... to make this work. It's really a collaborative team effort," Robinson said.
Part of that research involved creating a three-day training session to give staff the information needed to oversee death row inmates.
The training was provided to staff ranging from security to mental health providers who will need to prepared to work with men who know they are set to die.
"What we found was our staff had the skill set to make that transition they just needed additional tools," Robinson said.
As for the facility and operational changes needed, staff went to visit the Ohio State Penitentiary and Mansfield Correctional Institution and report back with what they learned.
"We tried to emulate what they have," said Mark Hooks, warden's assistant.
Robinson's top goal with death row and overall is simply safety -- safety for the community, staff and the inmates.
"What we have found over the years is our death row population is the easiest to manage," said Carlo LoParo, DRC spokesman.
The reason for that is death row inmates typically are trying to build cases to get them off death row, he said.
"Essentially, they have more on the line, and it's reflected in their behavior," LoParo said.
As part of preparations, 260 medium-security inmates were relocated to provide a segregated housing block for death row. Each of the three two-floor housing units are capable of housing 50 inmates with an average of 15 cells lined on either side.
"There is absolutely zero contact with the general population inmates," Hooks said.
New approach
The move of death row is part of the state's new three-tiered approach to reducing violence in Ohio's prisons. When completed, the move frees 300 high-security beds at Mansfield and the Ohio Penitentiary in Youngstown.
The tiered system, in part, will have institutions with fewer restrictions and amped up programming where those inmates with good behavior can go. On the flip side, those who are violent or have other behavioral concerns could be moved to a more restrictive environment.
The thought is that by keeping violent inmates from those with good behavior, it decreases the likelihood of "good" inmates becoming violent and from reoffending once released.
Location was one of the key deciding factors in the selection of CCI. The facility is about midway between Southern Ohio Correctional Facility in Lucasville, where executions are done, and the Franklin Medical Center in Columbus, where inmates needing serious medical attention are treated.
Improvements
While the move was made for the benefit of the Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections' new approach and to save money in transporting inmates, Hooks said it also is a beneficial move for death row inmates.
Although the 74.28-square-foot cells are somewhat smaller than the cells in the Mansfield and Youngstown facilities, they each now have a window that opens to allow fresh air between the bars that stretch across them.
The cell doors feature bars instead of a solid door, and inmates now have access to a gymnasium and a small outdoor yard for recreation. The outdoor yard is blocked in on three sides by the death row block and the fourth side faces the general population yard, but the fencing has been outfitted with blocks to prevent seeing more than shadows of people walking.
"A lot of these guys have not touched grass for 20 years," Hooks said, adding that the first group will have a chance to go outside Monday.
Law requires death row inmates receive the opportunity for at least 35 hours of recreation each week, which they received at the other facilities but within smaller indoor areas within the housing area. They will have five hours each day in the housing recreation area -- which has a computer access to law materials -- unless it is their day to go into one of the other recreation areas for two hours.
Recreation is the only time they interact with the other death row inmates, since they receive meals at their cells and not in a "chow hall" like general population inmates do. No more than 15 death row inmates will be permitted at recreation at a time.
"The majority of this is just for them to breathe," Hooks said.
The visitation area, created in a former housing unit, also provides inmates and their visitors more contact. Up to six visitations can occur at one time at small octagon-shaped cafeteria-styled tables. While the general population isn't restrained during visitation, death row inmates are shackled to a bar on the floor.
"We control the environment of the inmates here on death row (much more than in general population), and it's very regimented," Robinson said.
Part of the additional control also means additional corrections officers on duty. The addition of death row has resulted in seven added positions, Robinson said.
There are barred cells set up where an inmate can sit inside while the family sits outside, but Hooks said they intend to only use them as a form of punishment if needed. The cell approach is similar to what is set up in Mansfield and Youngstown, Hooks said.
While many of the changes -- which cost about $40,000 and were kept lower by swapping and bartering with other facilities -- were done to create a more controlled environment, some also were made to meet federal requirements.
For example, each cell had to be wired to have coaxial cable access. While the prison does not provide the inmates a television, they or their families can buy one for their cell.
So far, the move has been calm and Robinson reported no issues.
http://www.lancastereaglegazette.com...cothe-facility
The above article is no longer available online.
www.cncpunishment.com/forums/show....nt-News&p=25613It is also misleading, such as cable. The inmates do not have cable and because of where the prison is located reception is very bad.
Due to prison rules and acceptable vendors, I am still trying to find a digital antenna or signal booster that works well for the Chillicothe area while staying on budget.
This is one ordering option;
walkenhorsts.com/catalog.htmlThen click on 2011/2012 General Merchandise Catalog
You will either have to call and place an order or order by mail.
