Ohio inmates in 2nd week of hunger strike over program cuts

384 views · Published 30 March 2015 · 0:26 · Indexed 20 September 2026

Channel: LOCAL 12 · 2015 · News & Politics

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Inmates at Ohio's highest-security prison have entered the second week of a hunger strike protesting recreation and programming restrictions that include a ban on religious gatherings.A prisons department spokeswoman says nine inmates at the Ohio State Penitentiary in Youngstown have refused meals in a protest that began March 19. The prison houses Ohio's super-maximum security lockdown.Spokeswoman JoEllen Smith said Friday most inmates have been prohibited from roaming their enclosed housing units freely and group programming has been halted for the highest-security inmates. She cites safety and security concerns, including a serious assault on staff.Hunger-striking inmates argue religious programming is a constitutionally protected right.Smith says inmates still have access to one-on-one religious services. 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Learn more about our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.   Follow us on Twitter @Local12 and LIKE us on Facebook for updates!

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