Employees at the Allen-Oakwood Correctional Institution in Lima held a picket line Friday to bring attention to concerns regarding worker safety, staffing shortages, and low morale. More than a dozen members of the Ohio Civil Service Employees Association (OCSEA) Chapter 0230 at Allen-Oakwood participated in the demonstration.
Longtime employees have stated that morale among staff members at the institution is at an all-time low. Shawn Gruber, President of the union chapter, reported that the prison is currently short more than 80 officers. This shortage, according to Gruber, is leading employees to work 16-hour shifts and multiple overtime shifts each week. Union members have also alleged that the facility’s administration is not adhering to the union’s contract and that employees are not being treated fairly.
Gruber described the current conditions as the worst he has witnessed in his 32 years at the institution, specifically pointing to staff morale and how the prison is operated. He stated that staff are "tired and they’re fed up," and underscored that staff and inmates are not as safe as they could be in this environment.
James Beverly Jr., an OCSEA Staff Representative, also criticized the administration’s operational methods, describing them as "the worst by far." Beverly warned that "It’s not if the next critical incident happens, it’s when." He stated that union members have attempted to address their concerns with the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (ODRC) and local officials, but have yet to see any changes implemented.
In response to these ongoing issues, the union is formally requesting that the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction conduct an investigation into the current administration at the Lima facility. They are also seeking a review of the complaints that have been submitted by employees.
When contacted for comment, the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction provided a statement through its Chief of Communications, JoEllen Smith. Smith affirmed that "The safety and security of our staff remain a top priority, along with our continued efforts to recruit and retain a strong, dedicated workforce." She added that the ODRC "remain committed to working collaboratively with internal and external partners on continued recruitment efforts."
