Investigation reveals secret relationship between inmate, employee

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- An investigation inside a Central Ohio Corrections Center has revealed a secret relationship between an inmate and an employee. 

Documents NBC4 Investigates obtained detail dozens of forbidden calls and messages, and an attempt to cover them up. 

The documents show a Franklin County corrections employee working at Jackson Pike crossed the line with an inmate repeatedly. Allegations go back to before she was hired, and when the investigation was complete, she wasn’t fired.  

NBC4 Investigates obtained more than a hundred pages of documents from the internal affairs investigation into a Franklin County corrections services coordinator (CSC), someone who oversees the laundry facility in the jail.

We are not naming the CSC because she has not been charged with a crime, but the documents show she repeatedly broke the rules.

The investigation uncovered that the CSC sent suggestive photos to one inmate facing a weapons charge. They talked on the phone 185 times and sent 70 texts in a two-month period this summer.

Texts show the romantic nature of their relationship, such as:  “babe I need a favor” and “call me later babe.”

This violates multiple FCSO rules, including neglect or inattention to duty, maintaining a personal and concealed relationship with a known inmate and violating policy meant to prevent risk of compromised security. 

She also deposited money into his jail account, which can be used to make calls and for entertainment. 

In an interview as part of the internal affairs investigation, she admitted using her adult daughter's name, and not always her own, when making those deposits and in phone records, saying: “I didn't want my name on anything” and” I knew that it was not gonna…be appropriate to have conversation, so I used her name.”

Documents we obtained show this same woman apparently sent inappropriate photos to another inmate before she was hired, and jail officials learned of it after she became a CSC. 2023 documents show deputies discussing the CSC as a new hire, saying: “I remembered that name from the past for sending inappropriate photos showing nudity several times while processing mail at Jackson Pike.”

Internal Affairs says the CSC “violated the standards of conduct required of her position. Her actions undermined the integrity of the correctional facility and posed a threat to the safety and order of the institution."

The report recommended suspension or dismissal. However, a signed document and an email dated Aug. 11 show that the CSC was allowed to resign voluntarily. 

Franklin County Sheriff’s Office said they could not speak about this case because this person no longer works there. NBC4 reached out to the union representing jail employees, but have not heard back.