Ohio jail wants fence to stop balcony jumpers
NORWALK, Ohio (AP) — An Ohio jail wants to install fencing along a balcony and a staircase to keep inmates from jumping as far as 16 feet to the floor below.
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At least three leaped from the balcony or the top of the stairs at the Huron County jail last year, and officials at the facility in Norwalk point out that going over the railing would not land an inmate on an escape route. So, jail administrator Dave Battles speculates that jumpers may hope to put themselves in the hospital, feeling that’s better than jail.
County commissioners are expected to approve spending up to $23,000 for the fencing at a meeting Thursday. Commissioner Mike Adelman says the county will save tens of thousands of dollars in inmate medical bills.