MANSFIELD — Mansfield’s Fire Department reportedly revived five female inmates late Thursday night after responding to drug overdoses within the Richland County Jail.
A press release issued by the Richland County Sheriff’s Office said the individuals were treated at the jail by Mansfield Fire EMS with Narcan, a drug used to counteract narcotic overdoses. Each of the inmates was then transported to OhioHealth Mansfield to be treated for apparent heroin overdoses.
Authorities took statements from four of the inmates. One refused to cooperate with the investigation. All five women were transported back to the jail Friday morning.
Upon search of the inmates’ housing units, detectives recovered tampons that were “apparently used to snort the drugs.” Authorities believe the drugs were used in the bathroom of the housing unit.
Evidence submitted to the prosecutor’s office included a black latex glove and an uncharged cell phone.
Although no charges have been filed against the inmates, deputies continue to recover evidence to support possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia charges. Investigators are also trying to identify the inmate who conveyed the drugs.
Searches using a drug-detecting K9 unit continued throughout the morning.
This incident is just the latest in an ongoing battle against heroin. Mansfield police reports indicate there were three heroin overdoses, one fatal, early Thursday morning.
The Sheriff’s Office said it will admonish state lawmakers to help change Ohio law that currently prohibits corrections officers to conduct strip searches on inmates who will enter general jail populations.
Capt. Chris Blunk from the Sheriff’s Office is working on purchasing a body scanner that inmates would need to walk through before entering the jail. The $250,000 scanner detects foreign objects hidden in body cavities.
