Guard members train to assist Ohio correctional facilities

Photo By Sgt. Brian Johnson | A Soldier with the Chagrin Falls-based 135th Military Police Company talks with a Chillicothe Correctional Institution guard during a training exercise conducted at the correctional institution Aug. 4.  

08.28.2007

Story by Spc. Brian Johnson 

Ohio National Guard Public Affairs

by Spc. Brian Johnson
1194th Engineer Company

CHILLICOTHE, Ohio—Warden Timothy Brunsman announced during a 7:30 a.m. mock press conference, Aug. 4, the arrival of 40 Ohio National Guard members at this city's correctional institution to cover staff shortages due to an outbreak of Avian Flu.

The scenario is one that could play out if a major situation arose that affected staffing at Ohio correctional institutions; the Ohio National Guard could be called in to help with day-to-day operations.

Recently, the 135th Military Police Company conducted training exercises in two southern Ohio correctional institutions: Chillicothe Correctional Institution (CCI) and Ross Correctional Institution (RCI).

Lt. Col. Paul D. McAllister, executive officer for the Ohio Army National Guard's 73rd Troop Command, said the training went extremely well.

"The entire mission went by the book and according to plan," McAllister said. "The company reacted well. They were given 24 hours notice of the mission, they were able to deploy quickly and were on site at the prison with no issues. From the state level down to the Soldier execution of the mission, all the training that we set out to do was accomplished."

One of the unit's platoon leaders, 2nd Lt. Andy Hawkins of Cleveland, said the training forced the troops to switch focus from their normal duties.

"As a military police unit, one of the items that we train on is riot control. We don't necessarily emphasize working in a calm, day-to-day situation like what this exercise entailed," Hawkins said. "This really helped to augment our training. The Soldiers reacted well. They were really excited for this training. This was a chance for a real-world exercise and not something that was staged."

Brunsman said the joint operation, initiated by the Ohio National Guard, took about six to seven months to plan. Four of the facility's staff members were responsible for helping with the planning and coordination.

"One of the goals for this exercise was that we wanted it to be as hands-on as possible," Brunsman said. "We had a joint committee of officers and staff members at all levels designing this training. We have our supervisors overseeing the training to make sure that everything is being done by the book and up to standard."

RCI officer Rodney Holden said the exercise was beneficial to both the correctional institutions and the National Guard.

"This is a completely different type of training," he said. "This is training for a real-life situation with general duties. This helps the Soldiers understand the general duties and the role of a corrections officer."

CCI officer Todd Keaton, of Washington Court House, Ohio, helped train many 135th members in various areas of prison operations, including headcount and rounds procedures as well as searches. While Keaton was teaching the troops some basic search techniques, they discovered bleach and gang writing on an inmate.

"You must always be alert and be willing to learn." Keaton said. "I have no doubt that within three weeks that these Soldiers would know all of the tricks and ins-and-outs of this job."

Many of the troops said they enjoyed the exercise, which offered them a unique opportunity to train in a realistic environment.

"This was an extremely worthwhile experience," said Pfc. Patrick James of Cleveland, Ohio. "It was a very good hands-on exercise...I feel that a lot of good will come from this."

• Date Taken: 08.28.2007
• Date Posted: 08.28.2007 11:19
• Story ID: 12021