Senator Cafaro Supports Public Safety at Lake Erie Correctional Institution

Columbus – State Senator Capri S. Cafaro (D-Hubbard) voted today in favor of House Bill 487, also known as the Mid-Biennium Review. Making a variety of changes across Ohio’s state agencies, language in HB 487 particularly affected the Lake Erie Correctional Institution in Conneaut, Ohio.

The Conneaut prison has been privately owned and operated since January 1, 2012. While other correctional institutions in Ohio are also privately run, Lake Erie Correctional is the only facility that is privately owned. This discrepancy changes the way in which first responders have authority over the facility and inmates.

“I am voting yes today on HB 487 in order to protect the safety of the Conneaut community and Ashtabula County. While this legislation contains a variety of policy implementations, the effect that it has on my district is one of the most important to me and the reason that I am in support,” Cafaro said.

Senator Cafaro has been working with stakeholders since October 2011 to find a solution as to which safety forces have authority at Lake Erie Correctional. HB 487 provides the State Highway Patrol with the necessary authority to respond to security issues at the facility, while also requiring consultation with the Fraternal Order of Police and Buckeye Sheriff’s Association in submitting a report on this process.