A Lorain County corrections officer who was fired earlier this year has now been given his job back after an outside arbitrator ruled the county did not have “just cause” to terminate him.
The case began with a December 29, 2024 incident at the Lorain County Jail. During meal service, an inmate reportedly threw a cup of waste at Officer Christopher Jackson. Jackson called for help but stepped into the inmate’s cell before backup arrived. According to reports, he then struck the inmate several times. Jail video captured the encounter.
The sheriff’s office said Jackson ignored safety rules by entering the cell alone, leaving doors open, and allowing inmates to move around without proper supervision. Those violations, along with older discipline in his record, led Sheriff Jack Hall to fire him in April 2025.
Jackson’s union disagreed and filed a grievance. An arbitrator reviewed the evidence and found the county broke the rules in the union contract when it used discipline older than two years to justify his firing. Because of that, the arbitrator changed the punishment to a 30-day suspension instead of termination.
As a result, Jackson was reinstated on November 6, 2025. He will receive more than $30,000 in back pay for the months he was off the job.
The sheriff’s office has not changed its position on the safety concerns, but the arbitrator’s ruling is final under the labor agreement.
The case has drawn attention because it highlights how discipline in jails is handled and how union rules can affect decisions. Jackson is expected to return to duty under normal employment conditions.