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Report Says Force Used More Often Against Blacks In Ohio Prisons

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A new report commissioned by the state of Ohio says force is used by prison staff members more often against black inmates.

The report by the Correctional Institution Inspection Committee released Thursday showed that nearly 65 percent of "use of force" incidents in 2012 involved blacks, who make up about 46 percent of the total prison population.

By contrast, force incidents involving white inmates accounted for about 34 percent of the incidents. White inmates make up about 52 percent of the prison population.

The Columbus Dispatch reports there were 4,203 incidents of force last year – a 17-percent drop from 2011.

The committee that produced the report was created by the Legislature to help oversee the state prison system.