10/10/2025
Sheriff Chris Hilton Sandusky County Jail 2323 Countryside Drive
Fremont, OH 43420
RE: 2025 Annual Jail Inspection Dear Sheriff Chris Hilton:
In accordance with Section 5120.10 of the Ohio Revised Code and Executive Order 92-03 of the Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, the Sandusky County Jail, a full service jail, was inspected on 09/09/2025. 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 Sandusky County Jail is 88. On the date of the jail inspection, there were 80 inmates incarcerated in the Sandusky County Jail. The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction recommended housing capacity for the jail is 88, which is based upon total available living space and other requirements. Officials should maintain prisoner counts within the Department’s recommended capacity figure .
The Sandusky County Jail (Full Service Jail) is in compliance with 174 standards, 52 "Essential", and 122 "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 (C); -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)(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 (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 (E); -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 (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 (C); -18 (D); -18 (E);
The Sandusky County Jail did not comply with 3 standards, 0 "Essential", and 3 "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.
5120:1-8-05 (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 date of the inspection, the light readings were below two and four foot-candles, measured thirty inches above the floor in several areas. Night-time light reading needs to be in the two and four foot-candles, measured thirty inches above the floor.
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 date of the inspection, documentation was not provided to show that Jail support staff with routine contact receive 24 hours of training, within the first year of assignment, that includes legal aspects of corrections, basic security concepts, emergency preparedness, interpersonal communications, first aid/CPR, unarmed self-defense, and “Standards for Jails in Ohio.
5120:1-8-18 (B) (Important) Correctional officers shall receive training as follows : (1) Training in jail policies and within sixty days of employment. (2) During the first year of assignment, training consistent with Chapter 109:2-9 of the Administrative Code. Correctional officers that present proof of completion of the new employee orientation (NEO) training through the Ohio department of rehabilitation and correction satisfy the training requirement in Chapter 109:2-9 of the Administrative Code. (3) Eight hours of -service training each subsequent year of employment addressing specific job assignments and/or jail related issues. These training hours are in addition to training mandated by other standards.
Comments: On the date of the inspection, documentation was not provided to show that all Correctional officers received training consistent with Chapter 109-2-9 of the Administrative Code.
The Sandusky 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 3 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,
Patrick Kennedy, State Jail Inspector Bureau of Adult Detention
Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections Operations Support Center
P.O. Box 430
Columbus , Ohio 43216 Phone: (614) 756-9182
Email: patrick.kennedy@drc.ohio.gov