CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — A December inspection of the Ross County Jail found the facility compliant with all essential state standards but cited two deficiencies that jail officials have been instructed to correct, according to a report from the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction.
State inspectors visited the jail on Nov. 13 as part of the annual review required under Ohio law. The inspection focused on areas including intake procedures, housing, sanitation, medical and mental‑health services, food service, recreation, inmate discipline, staffing, and training.
The jail’s actual housing capacity is 99 inmates, and inspectors reported 88 people were incarcerated on the day of the visit. The state’s recommended capacity for the facility is 102 based on available living space.
According to the report, the jail met 177 standards — including all 53 classified as “essential” — and 124 “important” standards. Two important standards were marked out of compliance.
Inspectors noted that several cells approved for single occupancy were being used to house two inmates, a violation of minimum space requirements. The report directs jail officials to ensure single‑occupancy cells are used only as approved.
The second deficiency involved staffing documentation. Inspectors wrote that the jail did not provide evidence that annual standardized performance reviews were being conducted for employees, as required.
Despite the two violations, the jail was designated a “Compliant Jail,” meaning it met 100% of essential standards and at least 90% of important standards.
The Bureau of Adult Detention encouraged the jail to correct the remaining issues before the next annual inspection and submit a plan of action through the state’s jail management system.
The inspection included a review of documents, a tour of selected areas, and discussions with staff, according to the report.