COLUMBIANA COUNTY, Ohio — Former Cuyahoga County Commissioner Jimmy Dimora is on a list of 837 inmates at Ohio’s only federal prison, Elkton Federal Correctional, who are eligible for a release or a transfer after a U.S. District judge ordered the action on April 22, according to court documents.
The inmates, who are serving their sentences at Federal Correctional Institution Elkton in Columbiana County, meet the standards set by Judge James Gwin. The judge said the inmates have to be 65 years and older with a pre-existing health condition such as heart, lung, kidney, and liver conditions and undergoing cancer treatment, which could make them more susceptible to contracting COVID-19.
Once the inmates are identified, Judge Gwin said Elkton officials must evaluate each inmate’s eligibility for transfer out of the prison through any means. This includes compassionate release, parole or community supervision, transfer furlough, or nontransfer furlough within two weeks.
Judge Gwin also ordered that anyone transferred out of Elkton can’t return to the facility until the threat of the virus is abated or until a vaccine is available.
Dimora, who is serving a 28-year sentence for accepting more than 100 bribes and trying to fix eight court cases, was transferred from a West Virginia Prison back to Ohio’s Elkton prison in 2017.
The outbreaks in the state's prison continue to worsen. With limited testing and inability to distance inmates, COVID-19 continues to spread in prisons like Elkton, not only to the inmates but among the staff as well. The federal facility houses 2,421 inmates, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
Find the list of eligible inmates here.
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