Free stall dairy barn at Marion Correctional costing taxpayers $2.3 million. It has never been used since completion. (WSYX/WTTE)
From tractors, to new barns, cattle and high-tech equipment, it was all bought over the last couple of years. In fact, just last year with more investments, many state employees felt farming at Ohio prisons looked promising.
The Department of Rehabilitation and Correction announced April 16, it’s getting out of the farm business. On that same day, sources tell ABC 6 On Your Side that more than 120 new cows showed up at London Correctional dairy farm.
“It’s the biggest waste of taxpayer dollars I’ve seen in my 25 years as a state employee,” said Ohio Civil Services Employees Association President Chris Mabe. “We’re talking over $9 million.”
Mabe represents the 72 farm employees at Ohio prisons. He said the state was positioning itself to have a premier prison farm program.
In 2015, $8.9 million dollars was approved to make upgrades to two farms. At London farm, $4.8 million was spent on a new dairy barn and parlor. Additionally, a $1.8 million beef barn. In Marion, the farm at the prison received a brand new $2.3 million free stall barn. It’s a place where no cows have ever been in.
“It’s all new construction, there’s no doubt about that,” Mabe said. “You can’t do anything else with them.”
The Ohio Facilities Construction Commission said two of the three projects had construction completed on April 6. A week later, the Department of Rehabilitation and Correction issued an official letter saying it would be going in a different direction.
Invoices for the work are still coming in. So far, $6.5 million has been disbursed to contractors for the projects, according to the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission. Additional costs like supplies, metal stalls and other equipment orders have been cancelled.
Some of the other noteworthy taxpayer purchases at London Correctional include:
-John Deere 7230r Tractor: $160,000
-John Deere 8295r Tractor: $239,402
-Manure Spreader: $85,000
-Combine: $427,526
-Planter: $236,477
-Feed Grinder: $46,500
-Round Baler: $41,576
-Manure Tank: $98,990
-Dairy Free Stall and Parlor: $8,479,892
-Beef Barn: $307,467
JoEllen Smith, spokesperson for Ohio’s prison system released a statement Monday to 6 On Your Side.
“Those who run large organizations know that priorities change as they continually seek to improve their operations. That’s what is happening here as we look for more strategic and effective ways to get inmates quality job training to help them successfully transition after their release. DRC currently spends over $5 million in payroll costs for approximately 72 farm employees and those resources can be better used inside the facilities where the need is greater.”
The Department of Rehabilitation and Correction said it wants to sell some of the land or repurpose some of the barns. Farm operations will continue for the remainder of the year.
“It’s an absolute giveaway at this point,” Mabe said.
While prisons may not be turning inmates into farmers, some state employees argue it’s all about teaching the inmates work ethic.
“It’s the act of teaching people responsibility, the value of working an eight hour day and be able to be outside a fence,” Mabe said.
Many of the prisoners helped build the barns, repair equipment and help with the expansion of the farming programs that are now getting phased out.
The Ohio Civil Service Employees Association members protested outside of the Pickaway Correctional Institution Monday morning. They picketed against the sale of cattle from the farms. A court hearing to stop the farm closures will happen in June.
Source: ABC6
