In support of our mission to reduce recidivism among those we touch, the Office of the Chief Inspector ensures persons under our supervision, both inside facilities and in the community, are treated in a fair and appropriate manner that complies with relevant laws, rules, policies, and standards. 

Chief Inspector: Chris Lambert

Duties & Divisions 

In accordance with Administrative Rule 5120-9-30, the Office’s primary duty is the management of the Incarcerated Individual Grievance Procedure, which gives the incarcerated population an opportunity to voice their concerns regarding the conditions of incarceration. Additionally, the Office ensures investigations of threats to the security, health, and safety of our agency are supported and conducted fairly.  

The Office of the Chief Inspector is comprised of five divisions: Inspector Support Division, Investigative Services Division, Intelligence Division, Bureau of Operational Compliance, and Security Threat Group Investigations & Canine Operations. 

Inspector Support Division 

The Inspector Support Division (ISD) ensures the concerns and problems of the incarcerated population are appropriately addressed through the Incarcerated Individual Grievance Procedures outlined in Administrative Rule 5120-9-31. ISD assists, trains, and advises the Institutional Inspectors (Administrative Rule 5120-9-29) in all ODRC facilities. Additionally, the ISD responds to grievances against Wardens and Inspectors, grievance appeals, and conducts high-level administrative investigations and inquiries. The ISD manages the Americans with Disabilities (ADA) process for the incarcerated population in accordance with ODRC Policy 64-DCM-02. 

Constituent Affairs Section 

The ISD supports family engagement, stakeholder responsiveness, and transparency of agency operations through the Constituent Affairs Section (CAS). To ensure inquiries are properly and efficiently addressed, CAS provides a single point of contact and a user-friendly interface to facilitate communication between constituents and the Operation Support Center. CAS supports the agency’s primary points of constituent contact, including the “Contact Us” Public Information email account, DRC public telephone line, Family line, Director’s Office, Chief Inspector’s Office, Legislative Affairs, and Office of Prisons.  

Bureau of Operational Compliance 

The Bureau of Operational Compliance (BOC) is responsible for coordinating and conducting all non-financial internal audit functions for the Operation Support Center, Corrections Training Academy, Ohio Penal Industries, Ohio Parole Board, each facility and parole region within the DRC, and assisting in the preparation and coordination of American Correctional Association (ACA) audits. 

This bureau supervises the operations compliance managers located at each institution. BOC administers the health and safety program for all facilities and ensures the ACA accreditation of the agency. 

In addition, the BOC is responsible for the implementation of, and compliance with, the federal Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) standards. 

Investigations Services Division 

The Investigations Services Division (ISD) is the point of contact for investigations of administrative and criminal misconduct in the agency. ISD serves as the primary agency liaison to the Ohio State Highway Patrol and other outside law enforcement agencies on all matters relating to investigations of criminal activity. ISD reviews requests for special investigations, assigns and conducts said investigations, and provides supervision, resources, and guidance to investigators throughout the agency. 

Intelligence Division 

The Intelligence Division (ID) collects and disseminates tactical, operational, and strategic intelligence information and data. This includes tracking various forms of contraband and identifying threats to security, potential criminal activity and violence. It is comprised of three subunits: The Intelligence Services Unit (ISU), the Digital Forensics Unit (DFU) and the Centralized Background Checks Unit (CBCU). 

Intelligence Services Unit 

The Intelligence Services Unit (ISU) supports statewide investigations and intelligence efforts through the collection, analysis, and dissemination of intelligence information from DRC facilities and Adult Parole Authority regions. 

Digital Forensic Unit 

The Digital Forensic Unit (DFU) supports statewide investigations and intelligence efforts by acquiring and analyzing digital evidence and devices, including contraband cell phones and drones. 

Centralized Background Checks Unit 

The Centralized Background Checks Unit (CBCU) is responsible for completing background investigations on prospective contractors, volunteers, internship participants, and employees. 

Security Threat Groups & Canine Operations Division 

The Security Threat Groups (STG) Division identifies, investigates, and tracks STG offenders throughout the prisons and under supervision in Ohio communities. STG provides guidance, direction, and support to designated STG coordinators as well as supervision of Correction Warden Analysts at high-security facilities. 

The Division is also responsible for all aspects of drug-detecting Canine Operations for the agency, including the selection, training, and deployment of drug-detecting canine handlers as well as the overall care and operational readiness of our canines.