Ohio Sheriff must release records created by Private company operating county jail, court rules

The Ohio Supreme Court ruled that an Ohio Sheriff must release records created by a Private company operating a county jail.

The Court ruled 6-1 that the Columbiana County Sheriff’s Office could not redirect requests for jail records to the private operators, but has a legal duty to obtain the records and fulfill public records requests.

Regardless of whether the documents are in the possession of the public office or the private operator, the records are public, and the sheriff’s office has the duty to provide them to the public, the Court concluded.

Sheriff Brian McLaughlin has 21 days to provide the records or say that the records do not exist.

Terry Brown, a Belmont Correctional Institution inmate, a native of Wellsville, Ohio, sent the sheriff’s office two public records requests related to jail operations. Brown apparently asked for 10 items pertaining to the names and positions of employees working at the jail from January 2017 through July 2018. In a second request he sought 15 items regarding the current policies on inmate intake and booking, and the retention of records. The request included procedures for “booking of inmates showing signs of intoxication, impairment, injury, or psychological problems.”

Brown was also provided two records, one was an information sheet about the contract monitor Malone, and the other was a position description for a sergeant deputy sheriff. The letter informed Brown the office had already provided the record retention schedules he requested. The letter also said because  the records were created, kept, and maintained by Correctional Solutions Group. The letter indicated the sheriff’s office does not have access to the company’s records.

Brown is currently in the Belmont County facility for the 2017 killing and dismembering of Scottie Johnson. Brown is serving 25 years to life

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