MARYSVILLE, Ohio — No charges will be filed against a prison lieutenant who allegedly ran over a female prisoner with a utility terrain vehicle (UTV) at the Ohio Reformatory for Women in Marysville, Ohio, according to the Ohio Highway Patrol.
The Guardian, which first broke the story, obtained body cam footage from the incident. The footage reportedly shows a corrections lieutenant, identified as Thierno Bah, driving a UTV at a high rate of speed before appearing to drive directly into a group of inmates, striking one individual. The inmate reportedly sustained injuries and received hospital treatment.
The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections confirmed the incident, which occurred on March 14th. In a statement, the department said, “A staff member driving a UTV was responding to an incident when the vehicle came into contact with an incarcerated person.” The statement added that Bah checked on the inmate’s well-being. The inmate was then treated at the prison infirmary before being transferred to an outside hospital for further evaluation and reportedly returned to the reformatory the following day.
According to paperwork, Bah, the driver of the UTV, was a staff lieutenant. The Ohio Highway Patrol, which was in charge of the investigation, received a statement from Bah blaming the incident on the UTV.
In their final report, the Ohio Highway Patrol investigators stated, “We do not believe a charge of vehicular assault would be appropriate. Assuming we could prove recklessness, two things prevent us from filing this charge – first, it does not appear from the provided medical records that the inmate suffered serious physical harm as defined by R.C. 2901.01(A)(5).”
The report further explained that the Ohio Supreme Court recently held that vehicles such as the Gator driven by Lt. Bah are not “motor vehicles” for R.C. 2903.08. The court found these vehicles fall within the definition of “utility vehicle” based on its principal design purpose, i.e., a “self-propelled vehicle designed with a bed, principally for the purpose of transporting material or cargo in connection with construction, agricultural, forestry, grounds maintenance, lawn, and garden, materials handling, or similar activities” is not a “motor vehicle” within the meaning of R.C. 4501.01(B). Therefore, no charge can be brought under R.C. 2903.08 because that statute requires the operation of a motor vehicle, and the Gator does not meet that definition.
The investigators also considered whether reckless operation would be a proper charge. However, while the Gator is a “vehicle,” R.C. 4511.207 limits its application to operation “on any street or highway.”
The Union County Prosecutor’s Office declined to press charges, essentially closing the case.
Though no charges were filed against the prison lieutenant, other allegations of alleged abuse have placed the Ohio Reformatory for Women under scrutiny.
According to surveys conducted among incarcerated individuals, approximately 34.3% reported experiencing harassment or threats by other offenders, while 9.6% disclosed instances of abuse by fellow inmates.
Furthermore, allegations of harassment and threats by staff members were not uncommon, with 29.6% of inmates reporting such incidents. 2.3% of inmates disclosed experiencing sexual harassment from prison staff within ORW.
A review of past investigations into alleged abuse incidents revealed concerning trends. Between 2020 and 2022, a total of 21 incidents were reported, with varying outcomes: two substantiated, nine unsubstantiated, and ten unfounded. Despite efforts to address misconduct, substantiated cases persist, reflecting ongoing challenges in ensuring inmate safety.
Moreover, scrutiny over the use of force within ORW has intensified. While the facility reported a decrease in use of force incidents from 100 in 2021 to 79 in 2022, concerns remain regarding the adequacy of oversight and the impact of such measures on inmate well-being.
The Ohio Reformatory for Women, which houses individuals across security levels and serves as a reception center, has faced criticism for its handling of abuse complaints. Past lawsuits, including a case involving a Cleveland woman who alleged sexual assault by a guard. The judge in that case awarded the victim over $500,000 in compensation.
As calls for transparency and reform grow louder, authorities are under increasing pressure to address longstanding issues within the prison system.