Guards' Union Criticizes Probe Of Inmate Suicides

The union representing Ohio prison guards says the scope of a state-commissioned review on inmate suicides is too narrow and does not address the broader issues affecting the state's prison system. The Ohio Civil Service Employees Association says the review should not be about suicides. The group says there is a need for a broader discussion about policies and procedures including violence, overcrowding, staffing and staff training. The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections review of inmate suicides going back two years will start with the cases of Ariel Castro, the Cleveland kidnapper and rapist who had just begun serving a life sentence when he hanged himself September 3rd, and Billy Slagle, who killed himself August 4th, three days before his scheduled execution.