LORAIN, Ohio — A Lorain County corrections officer has been fired and may face criminal charges after physically fighting an inmate inside a cell during an incident last December, according to Sheriff Jack Hall.
Officer Christopher Jackson was terminated on April 21 following an internal investigation by the Lorain County Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Hall said the altercation began when an inmate threw a cup of bodily waste at Jackson during lunch distribution. In response, Jackson ordered the inmate’s cell door opened, left another cell unsecured, and entered the inmate’s cell — where he fought the inmate in violation of jail policy.
The confrontation, which was captured on surveillance video, showed Jackson and the inmate exchanging blows as they exited the cell. The inmate was not injured but was later charged with assault using bodily fluid.
Hall said Jackson’s actions created a serious security breach. Leaving a second cell door open allowed other inmates to roam the hallway unsupervised, putting both staff and prisoners at risk.
“The officer compromised the safety of inmates and corrections staff,” Hall said. “He should be charged with dereliction of duty for allowing an inmate to escape a locked cell, for endangering others by leaving doors unsecured, and for entering the cell himself — which is against our policy.”
The case has been referred to the Lorain County Prosecutor’s Office. A grand jury will determine whether to pursue criminal charges against Jackson.
Sheriff Hall also confirmed that Jackson’s disciplinary history was reviewed during the investigation. That review uncovered previous allegations, including domestic violence, burglary, sexual harassment of a coworker, and threatening a football coach. Jackson also reportedly had a pattern of excessive force, which contributed to the decision to terminate his employment.
This is the second serious use-of-force case involving a Lorain County corrections officer to draw public attention.
Earlier this year, another officer, Nicholas Tellier, was placed on administrative leave after a 2023 incident in which an inmate was allegedly paralyzed. That incident is the subject of a federal lawsuit filed by the inmate, but as of now, the case has not been referred to a grand jury.
No criminal charges have been filed in either case.