12/04/2025
Sheriff George Lavender Ross County Jail
28 North Paint Street Chillicothe, OH 45601
RE: 2025 Annual Jail Inspection Dear Sheriff George Lavender:
In accordance with Section 5120.10 of the Ohio Revised Code and Executive Order 92-03 of the Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, the Ross County Jail, a full service jail, was inspected on 11/13/2025. 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 Ross County Jail is 99. On the date of the jail inspection, there were 88 inmates incarcerated in the Ross County Jail. The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction recommended housing capacity for the jail is 102, which is based upon total available living space and other requirements. Officials should maintain prisoner counts within the Department’s recommended capacity figure .
The Ross County Jail (Full Service Jail) is in compliance with 177 standards, 53 "Essential", and 124 "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)(2)(c); -04 (A)(3); -04 (A)(4); -04 (B); -04 (C); -04 (D); -04 (E); -04 (F); -04 (G); -04 (H); -04 (I); -04 (J); -04 (K); -04
(L); -05 (A); -05 (B); -05 (C); -05 (D); -05 (E); -05 (F); -05 (G)(1); -05 (G)(2); -05 (G)(3); -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)(4); -17 (A)(5); -17 (A)(6); -17 (A)(7); -18 (A); -18 (B); -18 (C); -18
(D); -18 (E);
The Ross County Jail did not comply with 2 standards, 0 "Essential", and 2 "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 (A) Full service jails shall provide inmates with sufficient space . The jail shall maintain documentation regarding square footage and maximum occupancy figures for all housing and holding areas, and shall comply with the following minimum requirements: (2) Housing cells: (b) (Important) One hundred square feet with seven feet least dimension for double occupancy, stacked bunks, one hundred ten square feet with nine feet least dimension for double occupancy, single bunks.
Comments: During the inspection, several cells approved for single occupancy were observed to be occupied by two inmates. Jail officials must ensure that single-occupancy cells are used in accordance with their approved capacity.
5120:1-8-17 (A) Each jail's rules shall comply with the following staffing standards : (3) (Important) Annual standardized performance reviews of jail employees will be conducted.
Comments: On the day of the inspection, Jail Administration did not provide supporting documentation to evidence compliance for this standard. Jail officials shall ensure that annual standardized performance reviews of jail employees are conducted.
The Ross County 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 2 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