THE SAGA OF THE PRISONERS EXPOSED TO ASBESTOS
PART TWO
Remember the prisoners from Chillicothe Correctional Institution who are suing the state because they say that prison officials knowingly exposed them to asbestos?
Well, today I can give you some background on that story:
Apparently, inmates collected a powdery substance from a dorm floor and snipped insulation from steam pipes. They sent these to an attorney, who had them checked out - they showed up positive for asbestos. YET, only last year prison officials told inspectors that there was no asbestos in housing areas of the aging prison, which opened in 1966.
Prison officials have been accused of knowingly providing false information, and a lawsuit has been filed seeking damages for inmates who might have been harmed by inhaling asbestos fibers. The lawsuit also alleges that inmate work crews have been forced to remove or work with asbestos without proper training or protection.
This is not the first time that Chillicothe has been involved in an asbestos scandal, back in 1995 an inmate lawsuit alleging harm from asbestos exposure was dismissed.
This is one that could get interesting!