Ohio close to relocating death row

Chillicothe prison considered

9/29/2011

COLUMBUS — Ohio is close to a decision on relocating death row to save money and open up beds for violent inmates, with a southern Ohio prison under serious consideration.

The move would be the third time the state has moved the home of Ohio’s condemned inmates since reenacting capital punishment in 1981.

The Columbus Dispatch reports Thursday that the move would free up 80 guards now working on death row for high-security assignments in other facilities.

The move would bring together 117 death row inmates currently housed at the Ohio State Penitentiary in Youngstown and 29 housed at Mansfield Correctional Institution.

Prisons spokesman Carlo LoParo says the Chillicothe Correctional Institution about 50 miles south of Columbus is being considered.