Ohio inmates to replace laid-off janitors

COLUMBUS, OH — The Ohio Civil Service Employees Association filed a grievance against the state earlier this week after plans were announced to use prisoners to replace laid-off Statehouse janitors and groundskeepers, according to an Associated Press story hosted by Google.com.

After Governor Ted Strickland ordered a $640 million reduction in state government operations last year, the Statehouse lost 17 janitorial and maintenance employees, the story stated.

If the plan is approved, two inmates will work as groundskeepers and another five as nighttime janitors, the story noted.

The inmates will wear uniforms identifying them as prisoners and will be supervised by a guard while they work, the story added.

According to the story, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees said it''s unaware of any other state directly replacing laid-off workers with inmates.

Click here to read the complete article.

For related information, click here.