COLUMBUS, Ohio – In the aftermath of the tragic slaying of a Ross County corrections officer, a growing online petition is demanding the resignation of Annette Chambers, the Director of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (ODRC).
The petition, which has been rapidly gaining signatures, expresses deep concerns about the safety of correctional officers under Chambers’ leadership. It highlights numerous incidents of assaults, death threats, and a recent murder carried out by inmates. The petition states:
“I am a deeply concerned citizen seeking to address a critical issue within our criminal justice system—an issue that is personal to me and should evoke concern in any citizen who values the safety and equity of all correctional officers. Annette Chambers, the current Director of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (ODRC), has been alarmingly dismissive in the face of substantial and severe violations of the safety of correctional officers in Ohio. The abuse includes numerous assaults, death threats, and even a saddening recent murder—all perpetrated by inmates under her supervision.
This ongoing issue has not arisen abruptly but is a direct consequence of Chambers’ continued complacency towards fostering a secure environment for both inmates and staff. Her negligence has resulted in countless correctional officers being concerned for their safety with daily threats and assaults. The ODRC bears the responsibility of rehabilitation and correction—not fostering atmospheres of violence and fear.
Studies show that ensuring prisoner safety significantly aids in the rehabilitation process, thereby reducing recidivism rates (source: “Prison Conditions, Capital Punishment, and Deterrence” by Lawrence Katz, Harvard University). Chambers’ inaction threatens not only current inmates but also the broader community that these prisoners will eventually rejoin.
It is time for a change in leadership that will uphold the safety and rights of all within the system, for both correctional officers and incarcerated offenders. Our plea is simple—Annette Chambers must resign. Please join us to demand accountability, safety, and justice. Sign our petition to call for the resignation of ODRC Director Annette Chambers.”
Union representatives have echoed these sentiments, speaking with Central Ohio news outlets about their concerns. Records from the ODRC indicate that the inmate accused of killing Correction Officer Andy Lansing had previously made threats of violence against him.
The call for Chambers’ resignation underscores the urgent need for reform within Ohio’s prison system, as the community seeks to ensure the safety and well-being of its correctional officers.
The petition can be found at the following link: Petition · Demand the Resignation of ODRC Director Annette Chambers – United States · Change.org