Members of Ohio Military Reserve move to Cuyahoga County jail to help during COVID-19 staff shortages

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) - More than two dozen members of the Ohio Military Reserve arrived at the Cuyahoga County Corrections Center on Tuesday to assist with staffing as the jail deals with rising COVID-19 cases among both workers and inmates.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine made the announcement last week, following a request from Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish.

Twenty-five troops will be trained to work as corrections officers for 30 days to help current jail employees recover during the most recent COVID-19 surge.

“We just really want our staff... to be well and feel like they are supported in this environment,” said Ronda Gibson, Cuyahoga County’s jail administrator.

Additional measures that will be implemented at the jail during the staffing shortage include:

• Application of CDC-issued COVID-19 guidance
• Closing of non-essential staff posts
• Expediting of hiring staff
• Reducing visitations
• Prioritizing individuals who are a threat to public safety

The Ohio Military Reserve assisted other state prisons throughout 2021 as those facilities struggled with separate COVID-19 outbreaks.

“We’re working with human resources to try to get people back as fast as we can, safely of course,” said Gobson

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