12/18/2025
Sheriff Fredrick Stevens Seneca County Jail
3040 South State Route 100
Tiffin, OH 44883
RE: 2025 Annual Jail Inspection Dear Sheriff Fredrick Stevens:
In accordance with Section 5120.10 of the Ohio Revised Code and Executive Order 92-03 of the Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, the Seneca County Jail, a full service jail, was inspected on 12/16/2025. 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 Seneca County Jail is 205. On the date of the jail inspection, there were 140 inmates incarcerated in the Seneca County Jail. The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction recommended housing capacity for the jail is 180, which is based upon total available living space and other requirements. Officials should maintain prisoner counts within the Department’s recommended capacity figure .
The Seneca County Jail (Full Service Jail) is in compliance with 172 standards, 52 "Essential", and 120 "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)(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)(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 (C); -07 (D); -07 (E); -07 (F); -07 (G); -07 (H); -07 (J); -09 (A); -09 (B); -09 (C); -09 (D);
-09 (E); -09 (F); -09 (G); -09 (H); -09 (I); -09 (J); -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)(6); -17 (A)(7); -18 (A); -18 (C); -18 (D); -18 (E);
The Seneca County Jail did not comply with 7 standards, 1 "Essential", and 6 "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: On the day of the inspection, there were inmates double-bunked on C Block, this area does not meet the standard for size of one hundred square feet with seven feet least dimension for double occupancy, stacked bunks, one hundred and ten square feet with nine feet least dimension for double occupancy. Full-service jails shall provide inmates with sufficient space as per the standard.
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 documentation provided shows that the light readings in cells were out of the specified range. Jail Administration shall maintain documentation that the lighting in inmate sleeping areas shall be reducible to between two and four foot-candles, measured thirty inches above the floor.
5120:1-8-05 (H) The jail shall maintain documentation that the following standards are met with regard to bedding, linens and clothing: (4) (Important) Blankets shall be cleaned or exchanged at intervals not to exceed thirty days;
Comments: On the date of the inspection, the documentation provided did not show that blankets are cleaned or exchanged at intervals not to exceed 30 days. Jail administration shall maintain documentation that Blankets are cleaned or exchanged at intervals not to exceed 30 days.
5120:1-8-07 Full service jails shall comply with the following visitation standards. (B) (Important) The visitation area will be equipped with seating.
Comments: On the inspection date, the Jail no longer uses in-person visitation, and it was seen in housing units that video terminals were set up high and cameras were not able to be adjusted to utilize seating, therefore no seating was available. The visitation area will be equipped with seating.
5120:1-8-07 Full service jails shall comply with the following visitation standards. (I) (Important) Visits between inmates and members of the public will be monitored and may be recorded by any means for safety and security reasons.
5120:1-8-09 (K) (Essential) Pharmaceuticals. Pharmaceuticals are managed in accordance with policies and procedures approved by the health authority and in compliance with state and federal laws and regulations and include the following: (1) The policies require dispensing and administering prescribed medications by health-trained personnel or professionally trained personnel, adequate management of controlled medications, and provisions of medication to inmates in special management units. (2) The jail shall develop a policy, approved by the health authority, regarding incoming medications.
Comments: At the time of inspection, random files were reviewed, several of those files revealed the policies and procedures for the completion of the Medication Administration Records (MAR's) were not being adhered to. Jail Officials should take steps to ensure the Medication Administration Records are being completed properly as outlined in the policy and procedures.
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 day of the inspection, there were corrections officers that were not trained per (B)(2) of the standard. The jail should have all corrections staff trained within the first year of employment per the jail standard .
Plan of action forms are enclosed. Completed form(s) and/or corrective materials addressing the noted deficiencies must be completed and submitted through the Ohio Jail Management System (OHJMS) at www.OHJMS.Intelligrants.com within 45 days of receipt of this correspondence. Please 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 or 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