837 Inmates At Ohio Prison Could Be Moved, Including Jimmy Dimora

LISBON, OH — The government has identified 837 inmates at Elkton Federal Correctional Institute who qualify for release or transfer to another prison due to conditions created by the spread of the new coronavirus. At least seven inmates have died at the prison due to COVID-19.

One of the inmates who could be moved out of Elkton is former Cuyahoga County Commissioner Jimmy Dimora. His lawyers argued Dimora is medically vulnerable. He turns 65 this summer and is serving a 28-year sentence for corruption charges.

Judge James Gwin of the U.S. District Court of Northern Ohio granted a preliminary injunction last week, ordering Elkton prison officials to identify all medically-vulnerable inmates in captivity.

Gwin's order mandates that within two weeks named prisoners must then be evaluated for transfer out of Elkton by any means, including compassionate release, transfer furlough, parole, or a non-transfer furlough. Before being shipped out of Elkton, prisoners must be quarantined for two weeks.

According to Gwin's decision, there may be as many as 59 inmates who have tested positive for COVID-19, and up to 46 staffers who may have tested positive for the virus. Despite the spread of the virus, Elkton has received only 50 COVID-19 swab tests and one Abbott Rapid testing machine, according to court documents.

The lawsuit compelling the release of prisoners at Elkton was filed by the ACLU of Ohio and the Ohio Justice and Policy Center.

Gwin's full decision was shared online by the ACLU of Ohio.