Ohio's prison system has received a first-ever award created by a corrections group to recognize departments that strive to meet national standards.
The Lucy Webb Hayes Award from the American Correctional Association honors correctional agencies that have met 100 percent compliance with both ACA accreditation standards and federal Prison Rape Elimination Act standards.
Gary Mohr, director of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, accepted the award Monday in Boston.
Mohr says the honor underscores the professionalism and dedication of the Ohio prison system's guards, wardens, teachers, nurses and many other agency employees.
The award is named for Chillicothe native Lucy Webb Hayes, the wife of President Rutherford B. Hayes.
Rutherford Hayes was elected as the ACA's founding president in 1870, while serving as Ohio governor.
