Deputy warden at Toledo prison fired

'New, experienced' deputy warden temporarily filling vacancy

10/9/2013

 

The firing of a high-ranking prison official is “not a direct result” of a recent homicide at the facility, officials said.

Toledo Correctional Institution Deputy Warden Alan Chapman was fired today as “part of our ongoing effort to find the right people for the right positions,” said JoEllen Smith, a spokesman for the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction.

Mr. Chapman, 49, started working at the North Toledo prison on April 21, according to his personnel file. The file viewed late today did not contain information about his termination.

Mr. Chapman is being replaced by John Coleman, who is expected to start work at the prison Wednesday, Ms. Smith said. Mr. Coleman was, most recently, working at the department's Columbus headquarters in the Operations Support Center.

Four inmates have been killed in just over a year in inmate-on-inmate assaults at the Toledo prison.

On Sunday, Michael Dodson, 38, an inmate serving a 40-year sentence for attempted murder and aggravated robbery, was assaulted by his cellmate. He was taken to Mercy St. Vincent Medical Center where, on Monday, he was pronounced dead.

An autopsy performed today revealed that the inmate received injuries to his head and neck during an assault, said Dr. James Patrick, Lucas County coroner. A weapon was not used, Dr. Patrick said.

The new deputy warden was not available for an interview. Ms. Smith also said that the Toledo warden, Ed Sheldon, is not giving interviews

Mr. Chapman, who, before coming to Toledo, was the warden at Avon Park Correctional Institution in Avon Park, Fla., did not return a message seeking comment.

Ms. Smith said the termination “opened the position for an experienced, security-oriented person.”

Toledo Correctional, from 2010 through 2012, saw a 113 percent increase in inmate-on-inmate assaults and a 74 percent increase in inmate-on-staff assaults, according to a harsh report from the state's Correctional Institution Inspection Committee, released in September.

Mr. Coleman, who has worked in the corrections department since 1991, has served in several capacities including warden at the Allen/Oakwood Correctional Facility from October, 2010 until April, 2013.

Contact Taylor Dungjen at: tdungjen@theblade.com, 419-724-6054, or on Twitter @taylordungjen.