AP Exclusive: Many problems at jail where inmates escaped

CLEVELAND (AP) — Records show the overcrowded Ohio county jail from which four inmates escaped has been repeatedly cited by state inspectors for its lack of a security perimeter, broken security cameras and lack of a two-way radio system.

The records obtained by The Associated Press also cite a failure by administrators to show whether corrections officers conducted contraband searches or performed daily counts of inmates.

The male inmates who escaped overpowered two female corrections officers at the Gallia County Jail in southern Ohio using a handmade shank early Sunday. All four were captured Monday in North Carolina and await extradition to Ohio.

A state December inspection found the jail had failed to comply with 77 state standards.

Gallia County Sheriff Matt Champlin says problems at the 70-year-old jail have existed for years.