Chapter 753 | Reformatory Institutions

Section 753.02 | Sustaining persons sentenced to or confined in prison.

• Effective: January 1, 2004
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 490 - 124th General Assembly

(A) The legislative authority of a municipal corporation shall provide by ordinance for sustaining all persons sentenced to or confined in a prison or station house at the expense of the municipal corporation, and in counties where prisons or station houses are in quarters leased from the board of county commissioners, may contract with the board for the care and maintenance of those persons by the sheriff or other person charged with the care and maintenance of county prisoners. On the presentation of bills for food, sustenance, and necessary supplies, to the proper officer, certified by the person whom the legislative authority designates, the officer shall audit the bills under the rules prescribed by the legislative authority, and draw the officer's order on the treasurer of the municipal corporation in favor of the person presenting the bill.

(B) Pursuant to section 2929.37 of the Revised Code, the legislative authority of the municipal corporation may require a person who was convicted of an offense and who is confined in a prison or station house as provided in division (A) of this section, or a person who was convicted of an offense and who is confined in the county jail as provided in section 1905.35 of the Revised Code, to reimburse the municipal corporation for its expenses incurred by reason of the person's confinement.

(C) Notwithstanding any contrary provision in this section or section 2929.18, 2929.28, or 2929.37 of the Revised Code, the legislative authority of the municipal corporation may establish a policy that complies with section 2929.38 of the Revised Code and that requires any person who is not indigent and who is confined in a prison or station house to pay a reception fee, a fee for any medical treatment or service requested by and provided to that person, or the fee for a random drug test assessed under division (E) of section 753.33 of the Revised Code.

(D) If a person who has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to an offense is sentenced to a term of imprisonment in a prison or station house as described in division (A) of this section, or if a person who has been arrested for an offense, and who has been denied bail or has had bail set and has not been released on bail is confined in a prison or station house as described in division (A) of this section pending trial, at the time of reception and at other times the person in charge of the operation of the prison or station house determines to be appropriate, the person in charge of the operation of the prison or station house may cause the convicted or accused offender to be examined and tested for tuberculosis, HIV infection, hepatitis, including, but not limited to, hepatitis A, B, and C, and other contagious diseases. The person in charge of the operation of the prison or station house may cause a convicted or accused offender in the prison or station house who refuses to be tested or treated for tuberculosis, HIV infection, hepatitis, including, but not limited to, hepatitis A, B, and C, or another contagious disease to be tested and treated involuntarily.

Section 753.021 | Submitting health insurance claims for prison inmates.

• Effective: October 16, 1996
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 163 - 121st General Assembly

(A) For each person who is confined in a prison or station house as provided in section 753.02 of the Revised Code or in a county jail as provided in section 1905.35 of the Revised Code, the municipal corporation may make a determination as to whether the person is covered under a health insurance or health care policy, contract, or plan and, if the person has such coverage, what terms and conditions are imposed by it for the filing and payment of claims.

(B) If, pursuant to division (A) of this section, it is determined that the person is covered under a policy, contract, or plan and, while that coverage is in force, the prison, station house, or county jail renders or arranges for the rendering of health care services to the person, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the policy, contract, or plan, then the person, municipal corporation, or provider of the health care services, as appropriate under the terms and conditions of the policy, contract, or plan, shall promptly submit a claim for payment for the health care services to the appropriate third-party payer and shall designate, or make any other arrangement necessary to ensure, that payment of any amount due on the claim be made to the municipal corporation or the provider, as the case may be.

(C) Any payment made to the municipal corporation pursuant to division (B) of this section shall be paid into the treasury of the municipal corporation.

(D) This section also applies to any person who is under the custody of a law enforcement officer, as defined in section 2901.01 of the Revised Code, prior to the person's confinement in the prison, station house, or county jail.

Section 753.03 | Disposition of prisoners sentenced for misdemeanors.

• Effective: September 29, 1995
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 117 - 121st General Assembly

A municipal legislative authority may, by ordinance, provide for the keeping of persons convicted and sentenced for misdemeanors, during the term of their imprisonment, at such place as the legislative authority determines, provided that the place selected is in substantial compliance with the minimum standards for jails in Ohio promulgated by the department of rehabilitation and correction. The legislative authority may enter into a contract under section 9.06 of the Revised Code for the private operation and management of any municipal correctional facility, but only if the facility is used to house only misdemeanant inmates.

Section 753.04 | Commitment to workhouse.

• Effective: January 1, 2004
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 490 - 124th General Assembly

(A) When a person over sixteen years of age is convicted of an offense under the law of this state or an ordinance of a municipal corporation, and the tribunal before which the conviction is had is authorized by law to commit the offender to the county jail or municipal corporation prison, the court, mayor, or judge of the county court, as the case may be, may sentence the offender to a workhouse.

When a commitment is made from a municipal corporation or township in the county, other than in a municipal corporation having a workhouse, the legislative authority of the municipal corporation or the board of township trustees shall transmit with the mittimus a sum of money equal to not less than seventy cents per day for the time of the commitment, to be placed in the hands of the superintendent of a workhouse for the care and maintenance of the prisoner.

(B) Pursuant to section 2929.37 of the Revised Code, the legislative authority of the municipal corporation or the board of township trustees may require a person who is convicted of an offense and who is confined in a workhouse as provided in division (A) of this section, to reimburse the municipal corporation or the township, as the case may be, for its expenses incurred by reason of the person's confinement.

(C) Notwithstanding any contrary provision in this section or section 2929.18, 2929.28, or 2929.37 of the Revised Code, the legislative authority of the municipal corporation or board of township trustees may establish a policy that complies with section 2929.38 of the Revised Code and that requires any person who is not indigent and who is confined in the workhouse under division (A) of this section to pay a reception fee, a fee for any medical treatment or service requested by and provided to that person, or the fee for a random drug test assessed under division (E) of section 753.33 of the Revised Code.

(D) If a person who has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to an offense is incarcerated in a workhouse or if a person who has been arrested for an offense, and who has not been denied bail or has had bail set and has not been released on bail is confined in a workhouse pending trial, at the time of reception and at other times the person in charge of the operation of the workhouse determines to be appropriate, the person in charge of the operation of the workhouse may cause the convicted or accused offender to be examined and tested for tuberculosis, HIV infection, hepatitis, including, but not limited to, hepatitis A, B, and C, and other contagious diseases. The person in charge of the operation of the workhouse may cause a convicted or accused offender in the workhouse who refuses to be tested or treated for tuberculosis, HIV infection, hepatitis, including, but not limited to, hepatitis A, B, and C, or another contagious disease to be tested and treated involuntarily.

Section 753.041 | Submitting health insurance claims for workhouse inmates.

• Effective: October 16, 1996
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 163 - 121st General Assembly

(A) For each person who is confined in a workhouse as provided in section 753.04 of the Revised Code, the municipal corporation or the township, as the case may be, may make a determination as to whether the person is covered under a health insurance or health care policy, contract, or plan and, if the person has such coverage, what terms and conditions are imposed by it for the filing and payment of claims.

(B) If, pursuant to division (A) of this section, it is determined that the person is covered under a policy, contract, or plan and, while that coverage is in force, the workhouse renders or arranges for the rendering of health care services to the person in accordance with the terms and conditions of the policy, contract, or plan, then the person, municipal corporation, township, or provider of the health care services, as appropriate under the terms and conditions of the policy, contract, or plan, shall promptly submit a claim for payment for the health care services to the appropriate third-party payer and shall designate, or make any other arrangement necessary to ensure, that payment of any amount due on the claim be made to the municipal corporation, township, or provider, as the case may be.

(C) Any payment made to the municipal corporation or township pursuant to division (B) of this section shall be paid into the treasury of the governmental entity that incurred the expenses.

(D) This section also applies to any person who is under the custody of a law enforcement officer, as defined in section 2901.01 of the Revised Code, prior to the person's confinement in the workhouse.

Section 753.05 | Employment of prisoners.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

A person sentenced under section 753.04 of the Revised Code shall be received into the workhouse, and shall be kept and confined at labor therein, or if such labor cannot be furnished he may be employed at labor elsewhere when such employment is authorized by ordinance, and shall be subject to the rules, regulations, and discipline thereof until the expiration of his sentence, when he shall be discharged.

Section 753.06 | Qualified immunity for injuries to work detail prisoners.

• Effective: March 31, 2005
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 316 - 125th General Assembly

(A) As used in this section:

(1) "Municipal correctional facility" has the same meaning as in section 753.32 of the Revised Code.

(2) "Municipal correctional officer" has the same meaning as in section 753.31 of the Revised Code.

(B) If all the prisoners working on a work detail administered by a municipal correctional facility and outside the facility have volunteered for the work detail and are imprisoned in that facility for an offense other than a felony of the first or second degree and if the applicable municipal correctional officer complies with division (C) of this section, both of the following apply:

(1) No member of the organized police department of the municipal corporation and no municipal correctional officer is liable for civil damages for injury, death, or loss to person or property caused or suffered by a prisoner working on the work detail unless the injury, death, or loss results from malice or wanton or reckless misconduct of the member of the organized police department of the municipal corporation or the municipal correctional officer.

(2) A municipal corporation in which the prisoners work on the work detail and that employs the member of the organized police department or the municipal correctional officer or a township in which the prisoners work on the work detail is not liable for civil damages for injury, death, or loss to person or property caused or suffered by a prisoner working on the work detail unless the injury, death, or loss results from malice or wanton or reckless misconduct of the member of the organized police department of the municipal corporation or a municipal correctional officer.

(C) To qualify for the immunity described in division (B)(1) of this section regarding a work detail, a municipal correctional officer, prior to having the prisoners of the municipal correctional facility work outside the facility on the work detail, shall inform each prisoner on the work detail of the provisions of this section, including notifying the prisoner that, by volunteering for the work detail, the prisoner cannot hold any member of the organized police department of the municipal corporation or any municipal correctional officer or the municipal corporation or township liable for civil damages for injury, death, or loss to person or property unless the injury, death, or loss results from malice or wanton or reckless misconduct of the member of the organized police department of the municipal corporation or the municipal correctional officer.

Section 753.08 | Prompt commitment - fees.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

The officer having the execution of the final sentence of a court, magistrate, or mayor shall cause the convicted person to be conveyed to the workhouse as soon as practicable after the sentence is pronounced, and all officers shall be paid the fees therefor allowed by law for similar services in other cases. Such fees shall be paid, when the sentence is by the court, from the county treasury, and when by the magistrate, from the township treasury.

Section 753.09 | Discharge.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

The director of public safety may discharge, for good and sufficient cause, a person committed to the workhouse. A record of all such discharges shall be kept and reported to the legislative authority of the municipal corporation in the annual report of such director, with a brief statement of the reasons therefor.

Section 753.10 | Parole of inmates.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

The director of public safety may establish rules and regulations under which, and specify the conditions on which, a prisoner may be allowed to go upon parole outside of the buildings and enclosures of the workhouse. While on parole such person shall remain in the legal custody and under the control of such director, and subject at any time to be taken back within the enclosure of the institution. Full power to enforce the rules, regulations, and conditions, and to retake and reimprison any convict so paroled, is hereby conferred upon such director, whose written order shall be sufficient warrant for all officers named therein to authorize them to return to actual custody any conditionally released or paroled prisoner. All such officers shall execute such order the same as ordinary criminal process.

No parole shall be granted by such director without previous notice thereof to the trial judge.

Section 753.11 | Violation of parole.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

The director of public safety may employ or authorize any person to see that the conditions of a parole are not violated, and in case of violation to return to the workhouse any prisoner so violating his parole. The time between the violation of the conditions of such parole, or conditional release by whatever name, as entered by order of such director on the records of the workhouse, and the reimprisonment or return of the prisoner, shall not be counted as any part or portion of time served under his sentence.

Section 753.13 | Joint municipal and county workhouse.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

The board of county commissioners may unite with any municipal corporation located in the county in the acquisition or erection, management, and maintenance of a workhouse for the joint use of such county and municipal corporation, upon such terms as they may agree, and the board may levy and collect the necessary funds therefor from the taxable property of the county.

Section 753.14 | Withdrawal from support and maintenance of joint workhouse.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

In any county in which, prior to May 20, 1920, there has been constructed and maintained a joint municipal and county workhouse, either the municipal corporation or the county may withdraw therefrom, may decline to further participate in the expense of maintaining such institution, and may sell its interest in such institution.

In the event of a sale thereof by such municipal corporation or county, the proceeds thereof shall be used in the payment of such indebtedness as was incurred in behalf of such municipal corporation or county in the management, control, and operation of such workhouse, and any balance remaining shall be placed in the general fund of such municipal corporation or county.

Section 753.15 | Workhouses - management by joint board - privatization.

• Effective: September 28, 2012
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 509 - 129th General Assembly

(A) Except as provided in division (B) of this section, in a city, a workhouse erected for the joint use of the city and the county in which such city is located shall be managed and controlled by a joint board composed of the board of county commissioners and the board of control of the city, and in a village by the board of county commissioners and the board of trustees of public affairs. Such joint board shall have all the powers and duties in the management, control, and maintenance of such workhouse as are conferred upon the director of public safety in cities, and in addition thereto it may construct sewers for such workhouse and pay therefor from funds raised by taxation for the maintenance of such institution.

The joint board may lease or purchase suitable property and buildings for a workhouse, or real estate for the purpose of erecting and maintaining a workhouse thereon, but it shall not expend more than fifty thousand dollars for any such purpose unless such amount is approved by a majority of the voters of the county, exclusive of the municipal corporation, voting at a general election.

(B) In lieu of forming a joint board to manage and control a workhouse erected for the joint use of the city and the county in which the city is located, the board of county commissioners and the legislative authority of the city may enter into a contract for the private operation and management of the workhouse as provided in section 9.06 of the Revised Code, but only if the workhouse is used solely for misdemeanant inmates. In order to enter into a contract under section 9.06 of the Revised Code, both the board and the legislative authority shall approve and be parties to the contract.

Section 753.16 | City or district workhouse may receive prisoners from other counties - agreements - reimbursement by prisoner - medical testing or treatment.

• Effective: January 1, 2004
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 490 - 124th General Assembly

(A) Any city or district having a workhouse may receive as inmates of the workhouse persons sentenced or committed to it from counties other than the one in which the workhouse is situated, upon the terms and during the length of time agreed upon by the boards of county commissioners of those counties, or by the legislative authority of a municipal corporation in those counties and the legislative authority of the city, or the board of the district workhouse, or other authority having the management and control of the workhouse. Prisoners so received shall in all respects be and remain under the control of that authority, and shall be subject to the rules and discipline of the workhouse to which the other prisoners detained in the workhouse are subject.

(B) Prior to the acceptance for housing into a jail or workhouse of persons who are designated by the department of rehabilitation and correction, who plead guilty to or are convicted of a felony of the fourth or fifth degree, and who satisfy the other requirements listed in section 5120.161 of the Revised Code, the legislative authority of a municipal corporation having a jail or workhouse, or the joint board managing and controlling a workhouse for the joint use of a municipal corporation and a county shall enter into an agreement with the department of rehabilitation and correction under section 5120.161 of the Revised Code for the housing in the jail or workhouse of persons who are designated by the department, who plead guilty to or are convicted of a felony of the fourth or fifth degree, and who satisfy the other requirements listed in that section, in exchange for a per diem fee per person. Persons incarcerated in the jail or workhouse pursuant to an agreement of that nature shall be subject to supervision and control in the manner described in section 5120.161 of the Revised Code. This division does not affect the authority of a court to directly sentence a person who is convicted of or pleads guilty to a felony to the jail or workhouse in accordance with section 2929.16 of the Revised Code.

(C) Pursuant to section 2929.37 of the Revised Code, the board of county commissioners, the legislative authority of the municipal corporation, or the board or other managing authority of the district workhouse may require a person who was convicted of an offense and who is confined in the workhouse as provided in division (A) of this section, to reimburse the county, municipal corporation, or district, as the case may be, for its expenses incurred by reason of the person's confinement.

(D) Notwithstanding any contrary provision in this section or section 2929.18, 2929.28, or 2929.37 of the Revised Code, the board of county commissioners, the legislative authority of a municipal corporation, or the board or other managing authority of the district workhouse may establish a policy that complies with section 2929.38 of the Revised Code and that requires any person who is not indigent and who is confined in the jail or workhouse under division (A) or (B) of this section to pay a reception fee, a fee for any medical treatment or service requested by and provided to that person, or the fee for a random drug test assessed under division (E) of section 753.33 of the Revised Code.

(E) If a person who has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to an offense is confined in the workhouse as provided in division (A) of this section or is incarcerated in the workhouse in the manner described in division (B) of this section, or if a person who has been arrested for an offense, and who has been denied bail or has had bail set and has not been released on bail is confined in the workhouse pending trial, at the time of reception and at other times the person in charge of the operation of the workhouse determines to be appropriate, the person in charge of the operation of the workhouse may cause the convicted or accused offender to be examined and tested for tuberculosis, HIV infection, hepatitis, including but not limited to hepatitis A, B, and C, and other contagious diseases. The person in charge of the operation of the workhouse may cause a convicted or accused offender in the workhouse who refuses to be tested or treated for tuberculosis, HIV infection, hepatitis, including but not limited to hepatitis A, B, and C, or another contagious disease to be tested and treated involuntarily.

Section 753.161 | Receiving prisoners from out of county or from state.

• Effective: October 16, 1996
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 163 - 121st General Assembly

(A) For each person who is confined in a workhouse as provided in section 753.16 of the Revised Code, the county, municipal corporation, or district, as the case may be, may make a determination as to whether the person is covered under a health insurance or health care policy, contract, or plan and, if the person has such coverage, what terms and conditions are imposed by it for the filing and payment of claims.

(B) If, pursuant to division (A) of this section, it is determined that the person is covered under a policy, contract, or plan and, while that coverage is in force, the workhouse renders or arranges for the rendering of health care services to the person in accordance with the terms and conditions of the policy, contract, or plan, then the person, county, municipal corporation, district, or provider of the health care services, as appropriate under the terms and conditions of the policy, contract, or plan, shall promptly submit a claim for payment for the health care services to the appropriate third-party payer and shall designate, or make any other arrangement necessary to ensure, that payment of any amount due on the claim be made to the county, municipal corporation, district, or provider, as the case may be.

(C) Any payment made to the county, municipal corporation, or district pursuant to division (B) of this section shall be paid into the treasury of the governmental entity that incurred the expenses.

(D) This section also applies to any person who is under the custody of a law enforcement officer, as defined in section 2901.01 of the Revised Code, prior to the person's confinement in the workhouse.

Section 753.17 | Officers to have police powers.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

The superintendent, assistant superintendent, and each guard of a workhouse shall have such powers of policemen as are necessary for the proper performance of the duties of their positions.

Section 753.18 | Religious services in city jail or workhouse.

• Effective: July 6, 1982
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 23 - 114th General Assembly

Each administrative board or other authority in the state having charge or control of a city jail or workhouse shall provide for holding religious services therein each week, and may employ a clergyman or religious organization to conduct such services. Any expense so incurred by such board or authority shall be paid from the general fund of the city.

Section 753.19 | Chief law enforcement officer to give notice of escape and of apprehension of escapee.

• Effective: October 3, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly

(A) If a person who was convicted of or pleaded guilty to an offense or was indicted or otherwise charged with the commission of an offense escapes from a jail or workhouse of a municipal corporation or otherwise escapes from the custody of a municipal corporation, the chief of police or other chief law enforcement officer of that municipal corporation immediately after the escape shall report the escape, by telephone and in writing, to all local law enforcement agencies with jurisdiction over the place where the person escaped from custody, to the state highway patrol, to the department of rehabilitation and correction if the escaped person is a prisoner under the custody of the department who is in the jail or workhouse, to the prosecuting attorney of the county, and to a newspaper of general circulation in the municipal corporation in a newspaper of general circulation in each county in which part of the municipal corporation is located. The written notice may be by either facsimile transmission, electronic mail, or mail. A failure to comply with this requirement is a violation of section 2921.22 of the Revised Code.

(B) Upon the apprehension of the escaped person, the chief law enforcement officer shall give notice of the apprehension of the escaped person by telephone and in writing to the persons notified under division (A) of this section.

Last updated August 9, 2023 at 11:57 AM

Section 753.21 | Minimum security jails.

• Effective: October 17, 2019
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 166 - 133rd General Assembly

(A) As used in this section, "building or structure" includes, but is not limited to, a modular unit, building, or structure and a movable unit, building, or structure.

(B)(1) The legislative authority of a municipal corporation, by ordinance, may dedicate and permit the use, as a minimum security jail, of any vacant or abandoned public building or structure owned by the municipal corporation that has not been dedicated to or is not then in use for any municipal or other public purpose, or any building or structure rented or leased by the municipal corporation. The legislative authority of a municipal corporation, by ordinance, also may dedicate and permit the use, as a minimum security jail, of any building or structure purchased by or constructed by or for the municipal corporation. Subject to divisions (B)(3) and (C) of this section, upon the effective date of such an ordinance, the specified building or structure shall be used, in accordance with this section, for the confinement of persons who meet one of the following conditions:

(a) The person is sentenced to a term of imprisonment for a traffic violation, a misdemeanor, or a violation of a municipal ordinance and is under the jurisdiction of the municipal corporation or is sentenced to a residential sanction in the jail for a felony of the fourth or fifth degree pursuant to sections 2929.11 to 2929.19 of the Revised Code, and the jail administrator or the jail administrator's designee has classified the person as a minimal security risk. In determining the person's classification under this division, the administrator or designee shall consider all relevant factors, including, but not limited to, the person's escape risk and propensity for assaultive or violent behavior, based upon the person's prior and current behavior.

(b) The person is an inmate transferred by order of a judge of the sentencing court upon the request of the sheriff, administrator, jailer, or other person responsible for operating the jail other than a contractor as defined in section 9.06 of the Revised Code, who is named in the request as being suitable for confinement in a minimum security facility.

(2) The legislative authority of a municipal corporation, by ordinance, may affiliate with the county in which it is located, with one or more counties adjacent to the county in which it is located, or with one or more municipal corporations located within the county in which it is located or within an adjacent county, and dedicate and permit the use, as a minimum security jail, of any vacant or abandoned public building or structure owned by any of the affiliating counties or municipal corporations that has not been dedicated to or is not then in use for any public purpose, or any building or structure rented or leased by any of the affiliating counties or municipal corporations. The legislative authority of a municipal corporation, by ordinance, also may affiliate with one or more counties adjacent to the county in which it is located or with one or more municipal corporations located within the county in which it is located or within an adjacent county and dedicate and permit the use, as a minimum security jail, of any building or structure purchased by or constructed by or for any of the affiliating counties or municipal corporations. Any counties and municipal corporations that affiliate for purposes of this division shall enter into an agreement that establishes the responsibilities for the operation and for the cost of operation of the minimum security jail. Subject to divisions (B)(3) and (C) of this section, upon the effective date of an ordinance adopted under this division, the specified building or structure shall be used, in accordance with this section, for the confinement of persons who meet one of the following conditions:

(a) The person is sentenced to a term of imprisonment for a traffic violation, a misdemeanor, or a violation of an ordinance of a municipal corporation and is under the jurisdiction of any of the affiliating counties or municipal corporations or is sentenced to a residential sanction in the jail for a felony of the fourth or fifth degree pursuant to sections 2929.11 to 2929.19 of the Revised Code, and the jail administrator or the jail administrator's designee has classified the person as a minimal security risk. In determining the person's classification under this division, the administrator or designee shall consider all relevant factors, including, but not limited to, the person's escape risk and propensity for assaultive or violent behavior, based upon the person's prior and current behavior.

(b) The person is an inmate transferred by order of a judge of the sentencing court upon the request of the sheriff, administrator, jailer, or other person responsible for operating the jail other than a contractor as defined in section 9.06 of the Revised Code, who is named in the request as being suitable for confinement in a minimum security facility.

(3) No person shall be confined in a building or structure dedicated as a minimum security jail under division (B)(1) or (2) of this section unless the judge who sentenced the person to the term of imprisonment for the traffic violation or the misdemeanor specifies that the term of imprisonment is to be served in that jail, and division (B)(1) or (2) of this section permits the confinement of the person in that jail or unless the judge who sentenced the person to the residential sanction for the felony specifies that the residential sanction is to be served in a jail, and division (B)(1) or (2) of this section permits the confinement of the person in that jail. If a rented or leased building or structure is so dedicated, the building or structure may be used as a minimum security jail only during the period that it is rented or leased by the municipal corporation or by an affiliated county or municipal corporation. If a person convicted of a misdemeanor is confined to a building or structure dedicated as a minimum security jail under division (B)(1) or (2) of this section and the sheriff, administrator, jailer, or other person responsible for operating the jail other than a contractor as defined in division (H) of section 9.06 of the Revised Code determines that it would be more appropriate for the person so confined to be confined in another jail or workhouse facility, the sheriff, administrator, jailer, or other person may transfer the person so confined to a more appropriate jail or workhouse facility.

(C) All of the following apply in relation to a building or structure that is dedicated pursuant to division (B)(1) or (2) of this section for use as a minimum security jail:

(1) To the extent that the use of the building or structure as a minimum security jail requires a variance from any municipal corporation, county, or township zoning ordinances or regulations, the variance shall be granted.

(2) Except as provided in this section, the building or structure shall not be used to confine any person unless it is in substantial compliance with any applicable housing, fire prevention, sanitation, health, and safety codes, regulations, or standards.

(3) Unless such satisfaction or compliance is required under the standards described in division (C)(4) of this section, and notwithstanding any other provision of state or local law to the contrary, the building or structure need not satisfy or comply with any state or local building standard or code in order to be used to confine a person for the purposes specified in division (B) of this section.

(4) The building or structure shall not be used to confine any person unless it is in compliance with all minimum standards and minimum renovation, modification, and construction criteria for jails that have been proposed by the department of rehabilitation and correction, through its bureau of adult detention, under section 5120.10 of the Revised Code.

(5) The building or structure need not be renovated or modified into a secure detention facility in order to be used solely to confine a person for the purposes specified in divisions (B)(1)(a) and (B)(2)(a) of this section.

(6) The building or structure shall be used, equipped, furnished, and staffed to provide adequate and suitable living, sleeping, food service or preparation, drinking, bathing and toilet, sanitation, and other necessary facilities, furnishings, and equipment.

(D) Except as provided in this section, a minimum security jail dedicated and used under this section shall be considered to be part of the jail, workhouse, or other correctional facilities of the municipal corporation or the affiliated counties and municipal corporations for all purposes under the law. All persons confined in such a minimum security jail shall be and shall remain, in all respects, under the control of the authority of the municipal corporation that has responsibility for the management and operation of the jail, workhouse, or other correctional facilities of the municipal corporation or, if it is operated by any affiliation of counties or municipal corporations, under the control of the specified county or municipal corporation with that authority, provided that, if the person was convicted of a felony and is serving a residential sanction in the facility, all provisions of law that pertain to persons convicted of a felony that would not by their nature clearly be inapplicable apply regarding the person. A minimum security jail dedicated and used under this section shall be managed and maintained in accordance with policies and procedures adopted by the legislative authority of the municipal corporation or the affiliated counties and municipal corporations governing the safe and healthful operation of the jail, the confinement and supervision of the persons sentenced to it, and their participation in work release or similar rehabilitation programs. In addition to other rules of conduct and discipline, the rights of ingress and egress of persons confined in a minimum security jail dedicated and used under this section shall be subject to reasonable restrictions. Every person confined in a minimum security jail dedicated and used under this section shall be given verbal and written notification, at the time of the person's admission to the jail, that purposely leaving, or purposely failing to return to, the jail without proper authority or permission constitutes the felony offense of escape.

(E) If a person who has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to an offense is sentenced to a term of imprisonment or a residential sanction in a minimum security jail as described in division (B)(1)(a) or (B)(2)(a) of this section, or if a person is an inmate transferred to a minimum security jail by order of a judge of the sentencing court as described in division (B)(1)(b) or (2)(b) of this section, at the time of reception and at other times the person in charge of the operation of the jail determines to be appropriate, the person in charge of the operation of the jail may cause the convicted offender to be examined and tested for tuberculosis, HIV infection, hepatitis, including but not limited to hepatitis A, B, and C, and other contagious diseases. The person in charge of the operation of the jail may cause a convicted offender in the jail who refuses to be tested or treated for tuberculosis, HIV infection, hepatitis, including but not limited to hepatitis A, B, and C, or another contagious disease to be tested and treated involuntarily.

Section 753.22 | Commissary - fund.

• Effective: September 26, 2003
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 95 - 125th General Assembly

(A) The director of public safety or the joint board established pursuant to section 753.15 of the Revised Code may establish a commissary for the workhouse. The commissary may be established either in-house or by another arrangement. If a commissary is established, all persons incarcerated in the workhouse shall receive commissary privileges. A person's purchases from the commissary shall be deducted from the person's account record in the workhouse's business office. The commissary shall provide for the distribution to indigent persons incarcerated in the workhouse necessary hygiene articles and writing materials.

(B) If a commissary is established, the director of public safety or the joint board established pursuant to section 753.15 of the Revised Code shall establish a commissary fund for the workhouse. The management of funds in the commissary fund shall be strictly controlled in accordance with procedures adopted by the auditor of state. Commissary fund revenue over and above operating costs and reserve shall be considered profits. All profits from the commissary fund shall be used to purchase supplies and equipment for the benefit of persons incarcerated in the workhouse and to pay salary and benefits for employees of the workhouse, or for any other persons, who work in or are employed for the sole purpose of providing service to the commissary. The director of public safety or the joint board established pursuant to section 753.15 of the Revised Code shall adopt rules and regulations for the operation of any commissary fund the director or the joint board establishes.

Section 753.31 | Access by prisoners to exercise equipment or participation in fighting skills programs.

• Effective: March 17, 1998
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 293 - 122nd General Assembly

(A) As used in this section:

(1) "Free weight exercise equipment" means any equipment or device that is designed to increase the muscle mass and physical strength of the person using it. "Free weight exercise equipment" includes, but is not limited to, barbells, dumbbells, weight plates, and similar free weight-type equipment and other devices that the department of rehabilitation and correction, in rules adopted under section 5120.423 of the Revised Code, designates as enabling a person to increase muscle mass and physical strength.

(2) "Fixed weight exercise equipment" means any equipment, machine, or device that is not designed primarily to increase muscle mass and physical strength but rather to keep a person in relatively good physical condition. "Fixed weight exercise equipment" includes, but is not limited to, weight machines that utilize weight plates, tension bands, or similar devices that provide weight training resistance like universal and nautilus equipment. "Fixed weight exercise equipment" includes machines that are usually assembled as a unit, are not readily dismantled, and have been specifically modified for prison use so as to make them secure and immobile.

(3) "Municipal correctional officer" means a person who is employed by a municipal corporation as an employee or officer of a municipal jail, municipal workhouse, minimum security jail, joint city and county workhouse, municipal-county correctional center, multicounty-municipal correctional center, municipal-county jail or workhouse, or multicounty-municipal jail or workhouse.

(4) A person is "employed by a municipal corporation" if the person is employed by, or receives any compensation or benefits from, any official, officer, office, agency, board, commission, department, or other entity that is a branch of municipal government, that is established by a municipal corporation, or that serves a municipal corporation, including, but not limited to, a chief law enforcement officer of a municipal corporation.

(5) "Multicounty-municipal" has the same meaning as in section 307.93 of the Revised Code.

(B) No municipal correctional officer shall do any of the following:

(1) Provide a prisoner access to free weight or fixed weight exercise equipment;

(2) Allow a prisoner to provide or receive instruction in boxing, wrestling, karate, judo, or another form of martial arts, or any other program that the department of rehabilitation and correction, in rules adopted under section 5120.423 of the Revised Code, designates as enabling a person to improve fighting skills.

(C) Nothing in this section prohibits a municipal correctional officer from allowing a prisoner to participate in jogging, basketball, stationary exercise bicycling, supervised calisthenics, or other physical activities that are not designed to increase muscle mass and physical strength or improve fighting skills.

Section 753.32 | Improper internet access - municipal facilities.

• Effective: April 4, 2023
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 288 - 134th General Assembly

(A) As used in this section:

(1) "Municipal correctional officer" has the same meaning as in section 753.31 of the Revised Code.

(2) "Computer," "computer network," "computer system," "computer services," "telecommunications service," and "information service" have the same meanings as in section 2913.01 of the Revised Code.

(3) "Municipal correctional facility" means a municipal jail, municipal workhouse, minimum security jail, joint city and county workhouse, municipal-county correctional center, multicounty-municipal correctional center, municipal-county jail or workhouse, or multicounty-municipal jail or workhouse.

(B) No municipal correctional officer shall provide a prisoner access to or permit a prisoner to have access to the internet through the use of a computer, computer network, computer system, computer services, telecommunications service, or information service unless both of the following apply:

(1) The prisoner is accessing the internet solely for a use or purpose approved by the managing officer of that prisoner's municipal correctional facility or by the managing officer's designee.

(2) The provision of and access to the internet is in accordance with rules promulgated by the department of rehabilitation and correction pursuant to section 5120.62 of the Revised Code.

(C)(1) No prisoner in a municipal correctional facility under the control of a municipal corporation shall access the internet through the use of a computer, computer network, computer system, computer services, telecommunications service, or information service unless both of the following apply:

(a) The prisoner is accessing the internet solely for a use or purpose approved by the managing officer of that prisoner's municipal correctional facility or by the managing officer's designee.

(b) The provision of and access to the internet is in accordance with rules promulgated by the department of rehabilitation and correction pursuant to section 5120.62 of the Revised Code.

(2) Whoever violates division (C)(1) of this section is guilty of improper internet access, a misdemeanor of the first degree.

Last updated March 8, 2023 at 10:56 AM

Section 753.33 | Contracts for random drug testing of municipal prisoners.

• Effective: September 22, 2000
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 349 - 123rd General Assembly

(A) As used in this section:

(1) "Joint board" means the joint board established pursuant to section 753.15 of the Revised Code.

(2) "Municipal prisoner" means a prisoner who is confined in a municipal jail, municipal workhouse, minimum security jail, joint city and county workhouse, municipal-county correctional center, multicounty-municipal correctional center, municipal-county jail or workhouse, or multicounty-municipal jail or workhouse for being convicted of or pleading guilty to a criminal offense.

(3) "Multicounty-municipal" has the same meaning as in section 307.93 of the Revised Code.

(4) "Random drug testing" has the same meaning as in section 5120.63 of the Revised Code.

(B) The director of public safety or a joint board may enter into a contract with a laboratory or entity to perform blood or urine specimen collection, documentation, maintenance, transportation, preservation, storage, and analyses and other duties required in the performance of random drug testing of municipal prisoners. The terms of any contract entered into under this division shall include a requirement that the laboratory or entity and its employees, the director of public safety or the joint board, the superintendent or chief administrative officer specified in division (D) of this section, the employees of the correctional facilities listed in division (A)(1) of this section, and all other persons comply with the standards for the performance of random drug testing as specified in rules adopted under division (C) of this section.

(C) Prior to entering into a contract with a laboratory or entity under division (B) of this section, a director of public safety or a joint board shall adopt rules for the random drug testing of municipal prisoners. The rules shall include, but are not limited to, provisions that do the following:

(1) Require the laboratory or entity to seek, obtain, and maintain accreditation from the national institute on drug abuse;

(2) Establish standards for the performance of random drug testing of municipal prisoners that include, but are not limited to, standards governing the following:

(a) The collection by the laboratory or entity of blood or urine specimens of individuals in a scientifically or medically approved manner and under reasonable and sanitary conditions;

(b) The collection and testing by the laboratory or entity of blood or urine specimens with due regard for the privacy of the individual being tested and in a manner reasonably calculated to prevent substitutions or interference with the collection and testing of the specimens;

(c) The documentation of blood or urine specimens collected by the laboratory or entity and documentation procedures that reasonably preclude the possibility of erroneous identification of test results and that provide the individual being tested an opportunity to furnish information identifying any prescription or nonprescription drugs used by the individual in connection with a medical condition;

(d) The collection, maintenance, storage, and transportation by the laboratory or entity of blood or urine specimens in a manner that reasonably precludes the possibility of contamination or adulteration of the specimens;

(e) The testing by the laboratory or entity of a blood or urine specimen of an individual to determine whether the individual ingested or was injected with a drug of abuse, in a manner that conforms to scientifically accepted analytical methods and procedures and that may include verification or confirmation of any positive test result by a reliable analytical method;

(f) The analysis of an individual's blood or urine specimen by an employee of the laboratory or entity who is qualified by education, training, and experience to perform that analysis and whose regular duties include the analysis of blood or urine specimens to determine the presence of a drug of abuse and whether the individual who is the subject of the test ingested or was injected with a drug of abuse.

(3) Specify the frequency of performing random drug testing on municipal prisoners;

(4) Prescribe procedures for the automatic, random selection of municipal prisoners to submit to random drug testing under this section;

(5) Provide for reasonable safeguards for the transmittal of the results of the random drug testing of municipal prisoners from the contracting laboratory or entity to the director of public safety or the joint board pursuant to division (E) of this section;

(6) Establish a reasonable fee to cover the costs associated with random drug testing and analysis performed by a contracting laboratory or entity under this section and establish procedures pursuant to division (E) of this section for the collection of those fees from the municipal prisoners subjected to the drug tests.

(D) If a director of public safety or a joint board enters into a contract pursuant to division (B) of this section, the superintendent or chief administrative officer of a correctional facility listed in division (A)(2) of this section in which municipal prisoners are confined, pursuant to the terms of the contract and the rules adopted under division (C) of this section, shall facilitate the collection, documentation, maintenance, and transportation by the contracting laboratory or entity of the blood or urine specimens of the municipal prisoners who are confined in that correctional facility and who are subject to random drug testing.

(E) If a director of public safety or a joint board enters into a contract pursuant to division (B) of this section and the contracting laboratory or entity performs the random drug testing as provided in the contract, the laboratory or entity shall transmit the results of the drug test to the director of public safety or the joint board, as appropriate, that entered into the contract. The director or the joint board shall file for record the results of the random drug tests that indicate whether or not each municipal prisoner who was subjected to the drug test ingested or was injected with a drug of abuse. The director or the joint board shall give appropriate notice of the drug test results to each municipal prisoner who was subjected to a drug test and whose drug test results indicate that the municipal prisoner ingested or was injected with a drug of abuse. The director or the joint board shall afford that municipal prisoner an opportunity to be heard regarding the results of the drug test and to present contrary evidence at a hearing held before the director or the joint board within thirty days after notification of the municipal prisoner under this division. After the hearing, if a hearing is held, the director or the joint board shall make a determination regarding any evidence presented by the municipal prisoner. If the director or the joint board rejects the evidence presented by the municipal prisoner at the hearing or if no hearing is held under this division, the director or the joint board may assess a reasonable fee, determined pursuant to division (C) of this section, for the costs associated with the random drug test to be paid by the municipal prisoner whose drug test results indicate that the prisoner ingested or was injected with a drug of abuse. The director or the joint board may collect the fee pursuant to section 753.02, 753.04, or 753.16 of the Revised Code.