11/05/2025
Chief Earl Nelson Middletown City Jail 1 Donham Plaza
Middletown, OH 45042
RE: 2025 Annual Jail Inspection Dear Chief Earl Nelson:
In accordance with Section 5120.10 of the Ohio Revised Code and Executive Order 92-03 of the Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, the Middletown City Jail, a full service jail, was inspected on 10/14/2025. The inspection was restricted to assessing compliance with a group of standards, selected from the Standards for Jails in Ohio promulgated by the Department of Rehabilitation and Correction. The group of standards being inspected focused on Reception & Release, Classification, Security, Housing, Sanitation and Environmental Conditions, Communication, Visitation, Medical and Mental Health Services, Food Service, Recreation and Programming, Inmate Discipline, Administrative Segregation, Grievance, Staffing, and Staff Training. The inspection consisted of this Inspector receiving and/or reviewing requested documentation and/or materials, touring selected areas of the jail, and having discussions with various jail staff.
The total actual general housing capacity for the Middletown City Jail is 70. On the date of the jail inspection, there were 30 inmates incarcerated in the Middletown City Jail. The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction recommended housing capacity for the jail is 34, which is based upon total available living space and other requirements. Officials should maintain prisoner counts within the Department’s recommended capacity figure .
The Middletown City Jail (Full Service Jail) is in compliance with 170 standards, 53 "Essential", and 117 "Important".
5120:1-8-01 (A); -01 (B); -01 (C); -01 (D); -01 (E); -01 (F); -01 (G); -01 (H); -01 (I); -01 (J); -01 (K); -01 (L); -01 (M); -01
(N); -01 (O); -02 (A); -02 (B)(1); -02 (B)(2); -02 (B)(3); -02 (B)(4); -02 (B)(5); -02 (B)(6); -02 (D); -03 (A)(1); -03 (A)(3);
-03 (A)(4); -03 (A)(5); -03 (A)(6); -03 (A)(7); -03 (B)(1); -03 (B)(2); -03 (B)(3); -03 (B)(4); -03 (B)(5); -03 (B)(6); -03 (B)
(7); -03 (B)(8); -03 (B)(9); -03 (B)(10)(a); -03 (B)(10)(b); -03 (B)(10)(c); -03 (B)(10)(d); -03 (B)( 11)(a); -03 (B)(11)(b);
-03 (B)(11)(c); -03 (B)(12); -03 (B)(13); -03 (B)(14); -03 (B)(15); -03 (B)(16); -03 (B)(17); -04 (A)(1); -04 (A)(2)(a); -04
(A)(4); -04 (B); -04 (C); -04 (D); -04 (E); -04 (F); -04 (G); -04 (H); -04 (I); -04 (K); -04 (L); -05 (A); -05 (B); -05 (C); -05
(D); -05 (E); -05 (F); -05 (H)(1); -05 (H)(2); -05 (H)(3); -05 (H)(4); -05 (H)(5); -05 (H)(6); -05 (I); -05 (J); -05 (K); -05 (L);
-05 (M); -05 (N); -05 (O); -05 (P); -05 (Q); -06 (A); -06 (B); -06 (C); -06 (D); -06 (F); -06 (G); -06 (H); -07 (A); -07 (B); -07
(C); -07 (D); -07 (E); -07 (F); -07 (G); -07 (H); -07 (I); -07 (J); -09 (A); -09 (B); -09 (C); -09 (D); -09 (E); -09 (F); -09 (G);
-09 (H); -09 (I); -09 (J); -09 (K); -09 (L); -09 (M); -09 (N); -09 (O); -09 (P); -09 (Q); -09 (R); -09 (S); -09 (T); -09 (U); -09
(V); -09 (W); -09 (X); -09 (Y); -09 (Z); -09 (AA); -10 (A); -10 (B); -10 (C); -10 (D); -10 (E); -10 (F); -10 (G); -10 (H)(1); -10
(H)(2); -11 (A); -11 (B); -11 (C); -11 (D); -11 (E); -12 (A); -12 (B); -12 (C); -12 (D); -12 (E); -12 (F); -12 (G); -12 (H); -12
(I); -15 (A); -15 (B); -15 (C); -15 (D); -15 (E); -15 (F); -16 (A); -16 (B); -17 (A)(1); -17 (A)(2); -17 (A)(3); -17 (A)(4); -17 (A)
(5); -17 (A)(7); -18 (B); -18 (C); -18 (D); -18 (E);
The Middletown City Jail did not comply with 5 standards, 0 "Essential", and 5 "Important". This letter is intended to serve as a basis for developing plans of action for bringing the facility into compliance with the deficiencies noted during the inspection.
5120:1-8-04 (J) (Important) Natural light shall be provided in housing units, dorms, cells and/or dayspaces.
Comments: At the time of the inspection, the provision of natural light was not possible due to the facility’s structural design and age-related limitations. Jail officials shall ensure that natural light is provided in housing units , dorms, cells, and/or dayspaces.
5120:1-8-05 (G) The jails shall maintain documentation that the following standards are met with regard to interior lighting: (1) (Important) At least twenty foot-candles, measured thirty inches above the floor, in inmate reading areas.
Comments: On the day of the inspection, light meter readings did not measure at least 20 foot-candles measured thirty inches above the floor, in inmate reading areas. Jail administration shall ensure that light meter readings measure at least 20 foot-candles in inmate reading areas.
5120:1-8-05 (G) The jails shall maintain documentation that the following standards are met with regard to interior lighting: (2) (Important) At least fifteen foot-candles, measured thirty inches above the floor, in inmate accessible areas.
Comments: On the day of the inspection, light meter readings did not measure at least 15 foot-candles measured thirty inches above the floor, in inmate accessible areas. Jail administration shall ensure that light meter readings measure at least 15 foot-candles in inmate accessible areas.
5120:1-8-05 (G) The jails shall maintain documentation that the following standards are met with regard to interior lighting: (3) (Important) Lighting in inmate sleeping areas shall be reducible to between two and four foot-candles, measured thirty inches above the floor.
Comments: On the day of the inspection, jail officials did not provide evidence to prove compliance with the standard . Jail officials shall provide documentation to support that lighting in inmate sleeping areas is reducible to between two and four foot candles.
5120:1-8-18 (A) (Important) Jail support staff with routine contact shall receive training in pertinent agency policies and procedures prior to or in conjunction with assignment to jail duties (1) During the first year of assignment receive twenty-four hours of training including legal aspects of corrections, basic security concepts, emergency preparedness, interpersonal communications, first aid/CPR, unarmed self-defense, and "Standards for Jails in Ohio." (2) Two hours of in-service training each subsequent year of employment addressing specific job assignments and/or jail related issues.
Comments: On the day of the inspection, jail officials did not provide documentation to evidence compliance with the standard. Jail officials shall provide documentation that jail support staff with routine contact receive 24 hours of training during the first year of assignment, and 2 hours of in-service training each subsequent year of employment.
The Middletown City Jail is in compliance with 100% of the Essential Standards and at least 90% of the Important Standards meeting the requirements of a “Compliant Jail”. It should be noted however; the jail did not comply with 5 of the Important Standards upon which the facility was inspected. This letter is intended to serve as a basis for developing plans of action for bringing the facility back into compliance with the remaining deficiencies noted during the inspection.
The Bureau of Adult Detention encourages the jail to correct the remaining deficiencies noted in the inspection report prior to the next annual jail inspection. Plan of Action forms are enclosed and can be submitted through the Ohio Jail Management System (OHJMS) at www.OHJMS.Intelligrants.com. Feel free to contact the Bureau if you need assistance or clarification in this effort. The Bureau remains available to discuss the aspects of this report and to provide reference materials or assistance as desired.
Sincerely,
Caleb Ackley, State Jail Inspector Bureau of Adult Detention
4545 Fisher Rd., Suite D Columbus, Ohio 43228
Phone: (614) 286-2237