A correction officer was killed Christmas Day by an inmate in Chillicothe. Here's what we know so far.
Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction Director Annette Chambers-Smith confirmed in a statement posted to social media Wednesday afternoon that Correction Officer Andrew Lansing died after an inmate assault at Ross Correctional Institution in Chillicothe
Chambers-Smith called Lansing's death "a tragedy beyond comprehension."
"Instead of going home after his shift to be with his family on this holiday, Officer Lansing made the ultimate sacrifice, and our agency will never be the same," Chambers-Smith said.
The Ohio Highway Patrol is investigating Lansing's death.
Who was Adam Lansing, the prison guard killed on Christmas?
Chambers-Smith said Lansing was a "long-time, well-respected employee."
"Officer Lansing was loved by his colleagues and known to be a great support for his fellow RCI staff," Chambers-Smith said. "He was a friendly, outgoing officer who treated everyone with respect and was always a professional.
The inmate who killed Lansing has not been identified, and the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction has not said how the attack happened.
Chambers-Smith said the inmate was transferred to the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility.
Union official said prison was short staffed, demands action
Ross Correctional Institution was short by up to 40 officers Wednesday between vacancies and employees who were off work, said Chris Mabe, president of the Ohio Civil Service Employees Association.
The Ohio Civil Service Employees Association represents correction officers in Ohio.
Mabe called Lansing's death a "horrendous and heart-wrenching" reminder of what corrections officers face on the job.
"We're going to insist and demand on accountability," Mabe told The Dispatch on Wednesday. "We're demanding action from the governor's office."
Mabe said understaffing is the first issue that needs to be addressed in state prisons. Staffing shortages have plagued Ohio prisons since before the COVID-19 pandemic, Mabe said.
Higher pay is needed to address to address the staffing shortages, and drug use and violence are an increasing problem in state prisons, Mabe said.