An Ohio prison official improperly spent more than $77,000 on musical performances, CDs, and art programs for prisoners, according to the state’s inspector general.
The Columbus Dispatch reports:
The Ohio inspector general says a Dayton prison administrator improperly spent $77,030, some of it on music CDs and to pay musicians to come to the prison to play for inmates.
David Ragland, who was business administrator at the Dayton Correctional Institution, approved spending more than half of the money on music and art programs that were used by only 46 inmates, about 5 percent of the total prison population.
The official retired last fall, after continuing to receive his salary on paid suspension for 10 months.
Ragland "routinely paid vendors without a contract from a fund used for inmate programs," according to the report. The improper spending included $26,890 for musical performances at the prison; $17,190 for musical equipment and repairs; and $8,700 for "promotional CDs purchased from several musicians."