Details emerge on jail disturbance

PERKINS TWP. — An incident of inmate disobedience at the Erie County Jail was quickly resolved after it started on Thursday evening. At 6:45 p.m., as jail staff began locking inmates into their cells, approximately 20-25 prisoners refused to return to their cells. Jail staff told the disobedient inmates that if they did not return to their cells, force would be used to complete the lockdown process. Most of those involved returned to their cells, according to Erie County Sheriff Paul Sigsworth. At this point, Lt. Casey Proy, jail administrator, was able to convince the remaining inmates to return to their cells. "Because of his rapport with the inmates, he was able to put an end to it," Sigsworth said. Once all inmates were locked down in their cells, jail staff performed a shakedown. Staff concerns that inmates might have weapons hidden in their cells were unfounded as none were located during the shakedown. People commenting on a social media post referred to the incident as a riot. While the disturbance can legally be described as a riot according to the Ohio Revised Code, there were no fights, no physical injuries and no property was destroyed. Two inmates identified by Sigsworth as the primary participants in the incident were transferred to the Wood County Jail due to safety concerns. Sheriff's office deputies transported them all the way in separate cruisers. As the incident was unfolding, the road patrol supervisor on duty requested assistance from nearby agencies in case the disturbance escalated. Officers from Perkins and Huron departments responded to the jail. Luckily, Sigsworth said, the extra help was not needed and those officers returned to their jurisdictions. "We really appreciate the assistance they were willing to provide," Sigsworth said. Inmates involved in the disturbance will face internal administrative penalties at the jail, according to Sigsworth. Inmates who participated in the incident could be placed in administrative segregation, in which inmates are locked down in their cells 23 hours a day. Both Sigsworth and Proy said administrative segregation is not used as a punishment but when there is a concern about jail or inmate safety. Inmates in administrative segregation must have their status reviewed at least once every 30 days. The incident will also be discussed with the county prosecutor's office for consideration of criminal charges.