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OH Double Standard

Last year numerous prisoners filed small claims actions for personal properly damaged and/or destroyed during the April 11, 1993, insurrection at SOCF Lucasville, Ohio, claiming that the fault was with prison officials whose actions precipitated the riot and further knew or should have known that a riot was imminent and failed to take preventive or other measures to maintain the security and safety of its charges.

After an influx of such claims Court of Claims judge Russel Leach publicly announced that all prisoner claims arising from the April 11 rebellion were without merit and prison officials would not be held responsible. All such suits were then summarily dismissed.

In February, 1994, several prison guards and their families filed suits in the Court of Claims alleging that prison officials were at fault for the riot, that they knew or should have known that a riot was imminent and took no steps to prevent it. Attorneys for the guards stated "this is about truth... So it doesn't happen again." Guards and their spouses are seeking an unspecified amount of damages. Judge Leach has been silent. Another case of Just-Us.

E.H. Lucasville, OH

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