COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction Director Annette Chamber-Smith announced Thursday that nearly $50 million in funding would be granted to 11 county jails for various projects.
The grant was announced at the Correction Center of Northwest Ohio (CCNO) in Stryker, Ohio. CCNO serves Williams, Defiance, Fulton, Henry and Lucas counties. It will receive more than $4.6 million for safety enhancements such as more secure cell doors as well as an operations center between two minimum-security dorms.
“It’s critical that our jails are safe and secure, but it’s also important that our jail environments can influence positive change and put inmates on a good path upon release,” Gov. DeWine said. “With this funding, we’re helping these local jails move forward with projects that will allow them to better meet the demands of our modern criminal justice system and further support the growing number of inmates struggling with substance use and mental health issues.”
Of the 11 projects, six are construction or renovation projects, three are for assessments, and two are for security upgrades.
The money makes up the second round of funding from the Ohio Jail Safety and Security Grant Program that is a part of the current capital budget.
