LIMA — A change in policy as it pertains to meals offered to Ohio’s prison inmates reportedly was received with less than open arms Wednesday.
JoEllen Smith, public information officer for the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, said Wednesday marked the first day of a new statewide policy that limits inmates to two meals per day.
“In order to address the challenges associated with COVID-19 in a correctional setting, most facilities began (Wednesday) serving two meals per day — a hot brunch meal and a hot evening meal. This is being done to ensure we have less movement and less contact to reduce the potential spread of COVID-19,” Smith said in an email response to questions surrounding rising tensions at the local prison.
“The menu was selected based on food item popularity, and there is a 24-calorie difference between the old and new menu. Commissary prices are being reduced as well,” she said.
Smith noted each facility is implementing this new schedule, and the wardens are actively addressing any concerns that are being brought up during this process.
Family members of two inmates at Allen Oakwood called The Lima News on Wednesday to report alleged unrest at the prison. One said her fiance told her he received his first food of the day — two pieces of bread and some milk – at 1:30 p.m.
Another caller said tensions were running high between corrections officers and prisoners at the facility.
Smith responded, “There was not a disturbance at the facility.”
Lt. Tim Grigsby, commander of the Lima post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, said he had not been apprised of any tensions. The patrol oversees all law enforcement investigations at the prison.
“I get a report daily on all the state prisons, and the report I got today said that things at Allen Oakwood were running smoothly,” the commander said Wednesday afternoon.
.neFileBlock {
margin-bottom: 20px;
}
.neFileBlock p {
margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px;
}
.neFileBlock .neFile {
border-bottom: 1px dotted #aaa;
padding-bottom: 5px;
padding-top: 10px;
}
.neFileBlock .neCaption {
font-size: 85%;
}
