Inmate-on-inmate assaults nearly doubled to 150 in 2014, up from 78 in 2013, and the number of disturbances — 14 — is also very high, the report said. The rate of inmate discipline for assault increased by 61 percent, which ranks Warren Correctional second only to Ohio’s maximum security prison in Lucasville.
Guards at Warren Correctional used force in 304 incidences, which was an increase of 33.9 percent. And there are signs illegal drug use increased in 2014 over 2013.
The prison houses 1,365 inmates, though it is designed to hold 750. Warren Correctional is a step below maximum security.
The committee recommended that the prison come up with ways to reduce violence and the use of pepper spray and block illegal drugs from being smuggled into the prison.
The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction said in response that it has changed recreation schedules that has since led to a decrease in disturbances and the prison added more surveillance cameras in hot spots, stepped up unannounced searches and started stressing to staff that pepper spray should be used only after exhausting other methods.
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