Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction
NEWS
RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 11, 2003
(Columbus) – At a ceremony
held today, Reginald A. Wilkinson, Director of the Ohio Department of
Rehabilitation and Correction (DRC), was joined by local and state officials to
remember the eleven-day riot that took place at the Southern Ohio Correctional
Facility ten years ago. The
Lucasville riot, the longest riot in U.S. history, resulted in the tragic deaths
of Correction Officer Robert Vallandingham and nine inmates.
The
memorial and dedication service held at the DRC Employee Recognition and
Memorial Park, located in Orient, provided a chance for those who were involved
to reflect on the lessons and progress that have taken place within DRC since
April 1993. A rendering of a
special memorial that will be built in honor of the victims of the riot was
unveiled during the ceremony.
“There
are some days that will live with us forever, and Easter Sunday, 1993 is one of
those days,” stated DRC Director Reginald A. Wilkinson.
“Today we gathered to pay tribute to those who were victimized, but
also to commit ourselves to a productive future.
DRC employees continue to embark upon an incredible journey of success
that has placed us among the top correctional agencies in the nation.”