Marion Correctional Institution (Ohio)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- 940 Marion-Williamsport Road
- Marion, Ohio
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 Interactive map of Marion Correctional Institution | |
| Location |
|
|---|---|
| Status | Open |
| Security class | Security levels 1 & 2 (Minimum/Medium) |
| Capacity | 2,623 |
| Opened | 1954 |
| Managed by | Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction |
| Director | Annette Chambers-Smith |
Marion Correctional Institution (MCI) is a state-operated prison for men located in Marion, Ohio. The prison houses inmates with a security classification of Level 1 or 2. It dates back to the establishment of its precursor in 1948, which occupied the location of a facility that accommodated German prisoners of war during World War II. Over the years, it housed inmates transferred from other correctional institutions, leading to the construction of the Marion Correctional Institution in 1952. The institution has hosted various inmate programs, legal interventions, and events.[1]
Marion Correctional Institution introduced initiatives such as the "Project Newgate" college program in the 1970s, offering educational opportunities to inmates before their release. It also pioneered the "Papillon" drug rehabilitation program and established the first all-inmate chapter of the Red Cross during the 1980s.
In 1969, inmates filed Taylor v. Perini, a federal lawsuit alleging constitutional violations at the prison. This led to a consent decree and federal court intervention in the institution's operations, marking a turning point in Ohio's prison system.
The institution's history is also marked by notable events and individuals. A 1966 riot led to substantial damages, while the Marion Correctional Institution became an integral part of a music special featuring David Allan Coe, which showcased his transition from incarceration to a music career. In recent years, the institution faced challenges related to technology security and COVID-19. An incident in 2015 revealed unauthorized computer access by inmates. In 2020, the institution became a COVID-19 hotspot due to factors such as crowding and delayed testing, raising concerns about inmate well-being.
In 1948, the State of Ohio procured 1,243 acres of land from the United States Government. This land was previously part of the Scioto Ordnance Plant and contained the barracks used for German prisoners of war (POW) during World War II. Within the current prison-maintained graveyard lies the resting place of one German POW.[2]
Initially, Ohio planned to utilize the barracks to accommodate adolescent offenders from the Boys Industrial School. Instead, the barracks were repurposed to house inmates transferred from the Ohio Penitentiary (OP) and the Ohio State Reformatory (OSR). The first batch of inmates arrived from the Ohio Penitentiary in June 1950 to aid in repairing existing structures on the property. Subsequently, OSR inmates joined in November of the same year. For the next four years, Reformatory inmates were incarcerated on this site.[2]
Construction of what is now known as the Marion Correctional Institution commenced in 1952. Originally designed to only include dormitories, cell blocks were later incorporated to accommodate inmates from the overcrowded Ohio Penitentiary. (Approximately 30 years later, it was discovered that the original construction lacked steel reinforcements in the concrete block exterior walls, a deficiency that was subsequently rectified.) The initial capacity of the prison was set at 1,122, and the construction expenses totaled $8 million. In October of 1954, the first group of permanent inmates from the Ohio Penitentiary were relocated to the facility.[2]
Marion Correctional Institution has hosted several inmate education and rehabilitation programs. In the 1970s, it hosted the unit-managed "Project Newgate" initiative, which introduced college programming for Ohio inmates. Participants in the MCI program were granted furlough release one year before their actual release, during which they pursued college courses to continue after their prison release. The prison was also home to Ohio's initial residential inmate drug rehabilitation program, "Papillon," during the same period. The institution hosted the nation's inaugural prison-sponsored AMVETS chapter, and during the 1980s, its staff organized the world's first all-inmate chapter of the Red Cross.[2]
In 1969, inmates filed Taylor vs. Perini, a lawsuit that marked a federal court intervention in Ohio's prison operations. The lawsuit alleged a range of constitutional rights violations of inmates at Marion Correctional Institution. Through negotiations, a consent decree was established, outlining various operational changes that the institution agreed to implement. Due to ongoing disputes regarding compliance with the consent decree, a Special Master was appointed by the Federal Court in 1975 to oversee its execution. Vincent Nathan, a Toledo attorney without prior corrections experience, took the role of Special Master. The Taylor vs. Perini case concluded in 1991.[2]
Inmates at MCI participate in holiday musical pageants during Christmas and Easter. The Prison News Network (PNN), an advanced television production studio (now defunct due to inmates' misuse of computers for illicit purposes),[3] generated high-quality video content for the institution's closed-circuit television channel. MCI was the location of the nation's inaugural interfaith housing unit (which was later closed due to a COVID-19 outbreak at MCI), where inmates from Jewish, Muslim, and Christian faiths resided together and engaged in programs to deepen their religious commitments while gaining an understanding of other faiths.[4] In 1992, the institution obtained accreditation.[2]
Wardens
Community engagement
Inmate catfish stocking program
In 2017, inmates at the Marion Correctional Institution implemented a program where they raise catfish over the course of six months for the purpose of stocking ponds, like the Alder Pond in Akron. The program aims to benefit the local community by enhancing recreational fishing opportunities while providing participants with aquaculture training.[7]
Originally, inmates at the Marion Correctional Institution cultivated fish in an aquaponics facility on the prison premises, where water from the fish tanks was used to nourish vegetables grown in adjacent beds. The surplus vegetables were then donated to food pantries in nearby counties. The catfish raised in the facility, however, were often affected by ich. To redirect the program's benefits to the public, prison staff collaborated with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and local parks officials.[7]
Mike Johnson, Chief of Conservation for Summit Metro Parks, expressed enthusiasm for the initiative, highlighting the impact of stocking fish in local ponds. The program gained interest from community members, particularly children and fishing enthusiasts, who now have improved chances of catching catfish in stocked ponds.[7]
Correctional programs
The Embark program
The Embark program at Marion Correctional Institution, operated by the non-profit ministry Kindway, is a faith-based reentry ministry designed to assist incarcerated individuals in successfully reintegrating into the community. The program, established in 2011, involves volunteers recruited by Kindway and aims to prepare inmates for release and support them for at least a year after their release.[8]
Horizon Interfaith Dorm
The prison's Horizon interfaith dormitory, introduced under Warden Christine Money, accommodates Christians, Jews, and Muslims, and received national attention for its unique setup where inmates lived in family units of six. The American Correctional Association recognized this dormitory during its meeting in Nashville, Tennessee.[4]
AMVETS Marion Post 42
AMVETS Post 42, located within the Marion Correctional Institution (MCI) in Marion, Ohio, is a group of incarcerated veterans who continue to serve both their community and other communities throughout the state from behind bars. This post is the only incarcerated AMVETS post in Ohio and was established in 1974 when incarcerated individuals submitted an application to the AMVETS State Department of Ohio and the prison's warden to form the post. Their aim was to continue their service even while incarcerated.[9]
The post operates within the prison with the support of prison administration and staff advisors.[9]
AMVETS Post 42 engages in various charitable activities and programs:[10]
- Sewing therapy: Inmates participate in sewing therapy, creating blankets made from donated yarn for Ohio Veterans Homes and crafting teddy bears for local hospitals and police departments to distribute to children in need.
- Facing Yourself Program: This program encourages participants to address the underlying issues that led to their incarceration through self-reflection and self-improvement.
- Veteran Resource Fairs: The post hosts annual veteran resource fairs, inviting outside agencies and veteran groups to share resources with incarcerated veterans.
- Community support: The post actively supports its community. It donated funds to Stockhands Horses for Healing, an equine therapy farm serving veterans and children with disabilities, by providing funds for hay.
- Birthday celebrations: For incarcerated individuals aged 70 or older at MCI, the post organizes birthday celebrations, including ice cream and cake, to make their birthday memorable.
- Equestrian therapy: AMVETS Post #42 initiated an equestrian therapy program in collaboration with Stockhands Horses For Healing, a non-profit organization offering therapy to veterans suffering from PTSD and other issues.
- Charitable donations: The post donates to various charities, including Toys For Tots, Wags For Warriors, Pets For Vets, and Save A Warrior.
Teaching writing in prisons
Piper Kerman, the author of "Orange Is the New Black: My Year in a Women's Prison," has been conducting writing classes for inmates at the Ohio Reformatory for Women and the Marion Correctional Institution in Ohio. Kerman, who also advised on the Netflix series based on her book, teaches creative nonfiction writing to prisoners as a means of helping them find a sense of freedom and self-expression through their writing. Her goal is to amplify the voices of incarcerated individuals, humanizing them and shedding light on their experiences within the criminal justice system. The classes have been praised for their impact on inmate rehabilitation and reducing recidivism. Kerman's own personal experience of serving time in prison adds a unique perspective to her teaching approach.[11]
