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Ohio

The Corrections Corporation of America (CCA) denied access to its Youngstown facility on April 30 to an inspection committee of state legislators and their invited guests, who included two ACU representatives. Under state legislation passed in March, the committee is legally entitled access to the facility at any time without notice.

“CCA seems to think it’s above the law,” says Jim McElvain of the Ohio Civil Service Employees Association/AFSCME Local 11, who accompanied the committee as a technical expert.

The medium-security facility opened in May 1997 and houses some 1,660 inmates, most of whom were transferred from Washington, D.C. Since the prison’s opening, there have been a total of 13 stabbings, including two fatal attacks.

Ohio Sen. Rhine McLin (D), chairwoman of the committee, told the press that her committee wouldn’t be bullied: “I shall be back and this prison shall be inspected.”

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