Ohio National Guard available to help county jails

SANDUSKY — County jails struggling with staff shortages due to COVID-19 can get assistance from the Ohio National Guard for security. Gov. Mike DeWine issued a proclamation Friday authorizing the Ohio National Guard to assist with security at county jails if needed due to a lack of corrections officers. The Ohio National Guard was previously ordered to assist in a similar way at state prisons. "The proclamation was issued in response to the significant number of COVID-19 infections among state, county, and local corrections officers that has reduced staffing levels required to maintain safe and adequate security at some facilities," according to a news release from DeWine's office. Locally, Erie County's jail won't be calling on the state's national guard for the time being. Erie County Sheriff Paul Sigsworth said the county jail has three corrections officers away from work due to positive COVID-19 tests. But he said other employees are covering for those three and they don't plan on enlisting the Ohio National Guard's help as of now. "We will, however, keep all options open," Sigsworth said. "The availability of this support is very much appreciated. If staffing shortages were to become extremely critical in the future due to staff illnesses caused by COVID-19, we would not rule out any options to provide adequate jail staffing — including Corrections Officers and/or Deputy Sheriffs from other Sheriff's Offices provided through mutual aid requests to work in our jail and, possibly, Ohio National Guard personnel."