STRYKER – A street smart training class, hosted by the Corrections Center of Northwest Ohio, is being offered to area law enforcement officers, teachers and mental health officials.
CCNO board members were informed during Wednesday’s board meeting that “Operation: Street Smart” is being hosted by CCNO and will be held March 12 at Northwest State Community College. The event is being provided free of charge and instructed by narcotics officers and members of Franklin County Sheriff’s office and Franklin County Commissioners.
The program for the 100 plus registered is designed to educate them about current drug trends, terminology and paraphernalia as well as recognize the influences of the drug culture on children.
CCNO Executive Director Jim Dennis reported the regional jail has been overcrowded for most of the month of February to include Wednesday’s inmate population which stood at 600 or 94 percent Area judges have received requests since Feb. 12 asking to reduce the inmate population that has peaked to 90 percent or higher and has remained consistent. The highest population reached 609 or 95 percent on Feb. 22 forcing jail doors to be closed to City of Toledo and Lucas County for two days.
Mr. Dennis said participation in the electronic monitoring program continues to improve with 132 active participants as of Wednesday that includes courtesy supervision for Van Wert County and area juvenile courts.
Board members approved the use of electronic monitoring funds to purchase two new Dodge Avengers at a cost of $30,932 from the state purchasing option at a cost of $30,932 for electronic monitoring staff. Also approved was the purchase of four alcohol monitoring units at a cost of $9,880 and 20 GPS units at a cost of $38,000 from BI Inc. which provides the electronic monitoring equipment used at CCNO. Mr. Dennis said the GPS units will help secure more high-risk participants as well as help with jail overcrowding conditions.
In other business, board members were in support of proposed state legislation that would allow regional jails to obtain bonds to finance expansion projects. Mr. Dennis explained that there are four regional jails in Ohio and that the Corrections Commission of Southeastern Ohio is interested in obtaining bonds to finance an expansion project. Such action would require changes in state legislation although it was noted that any jail expansion would first have to be approved by that regional jail’s governing board.
Mr. Dennis said he is working with other jail administrators on updating state jail minimum standards and holding a state-wide jail conference later in the year. CCNO officials continue to work on video visitation and are attempting to enhance continued treatment of those with mental health issues upon release from CCNO.