OCSEA members in corrections secure funding for tasers at Ohio’s facilities

In a hard-fought win for safer facilities, OCSEA members are celebrating a legislative victory that will help protect Ohio’s corrections officers. The state budget, which was signed into law earlier this year, includes $16 million in new funding for the Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections (DRC) to enhance safety in corrections.

This additional investment provides for the statewide deployment of tasers, an important step following the tragic loss of Officer Andrew Lansing at an Ohio prison last Christmas. After he was killed by an inmate, OCSEA members pushed DRC to allow tasers as part of a pilot program.

From taking action online to in-person meetings with legislators, OCSEA members made their voices heard and lawmakers listened.

“Our victory in securing state funding for tasers is proof of the power of activism. It took several months of conversations and a letter-writing campaign to convince the Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections and state legislators to provide funding,” said OCSEA President Chris Mabe. “Tasers not only protect corrections officers who are members of OCSEA but they also make our correctional institutions safer for everyone including inmates and other staff.”

With more equipment to stay safe, members of OCSEA will continue working with DRC to push for solutions to ongoing issues like short-staffing. This win belongs to every OCSEA member who stood up for safety at work.