16 inmates struck by lightning at Grafton Prison in Lorain County, 2 remain hospitalized Friday

LORAIN COUNTY, Ohio (WOIO) - Lightning struck Grafton Correctional Facility Tuesday night as inmates were walking back from dinner, sending 16 people to the hospital and leaving at least one family member with unanswered questions about her nephew’s care.

As of Friday afternoon, two inmates remained hospitalized, both in stable condition, with one expected to be discharged Friday. 14 others have returned to the facility, according to the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections.

The department provided video of the weather conditions that showed no one being struck by lightning.

The incident report provided by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction said that the yard was closed due to lightning, but inmates were allowed to leave the dining hall to return to housing units when the weather cleared.

In a report from a lieutenant for the prison, the rain slowed down so inmates were clear to return to units, but lightning started two minutes later, according to the report.

The lieutenant said they called for the yard to be closed and locked in place, but said the inmates didn’t make it far enough to return to the dining hall.

The lieutenant also reported calling for life-care transports, as did a corrections officer who added that they made a request for ambulances.

A correctional program specialist reported seeing a flash of light outside their window and saw several inmates lying on the yard. After seeing the inmates lying on the ground, the specialist called for a medical emergency on the yard.

According to reports from various prison staff members, three inmates were initially spotted lying on the ground, and CPR was performed on all three after they were found to be unconscious.

A nurse responding to care for the inmates said one victim had burns on his chest and legs.

The department said an after-action review is underway on the incident.

Family raises concerns about inmate care

Jemeana Holly said her nephew was struck by lightning but was never sent to the hospital. He was treated at the prison.

When he called her Tuesday night, Holly said she immediately noticed something was wrong.

“Immediately I noticed he was stuttering,” Holly said. “And he said he had numbness and tingling in his legs.”

Holly said her nephew told her staff were checking on him every two hours. As of Wednesday, she had not heard from him and did not know his current condition.

“We’ve had a very restless night,” Holly said.

Prison staff decline to answer questions about hospital transfers

Holly’s nephew described the scene to her after the strike.

“He said they were walking and they went outside and everything went black,” Holly said. “When he came to, he said it looked like a video game. Like there were a lot of bodies lying down.”

When asked whether every inmate struck by lightning was sent to the hospital, prison staff would not answer. They confirmed only that 16 inmates were transported to an outside hospitals.

Governor Dewine said on Wednesday that four inmates were treated at a hospital in the Grafton area, two were taken to the Ohio State University Medical Center. One inmate with severe injuries is at Cleveland Metrohealth, according to Dewine.

No warning issued before storm

The National Weather Service did not issue a severe storm warning for the Grafton area before Tuesday night’s strike. The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction has not said what steps it takes to protect inmates during storms.

Prison staff confirmed no inmates have died and no staff members were injured. An additional update from the facility was expected Wednesday afternoon.

This is a developing story. Check back for more updates.