He’s known for his respectful attitude, his loud nature and, of course, his sense of style. He’s Warden Eric Ivey from Lockup’s Cleveland series and he’s answering your questions! First, a little bit about him: as Associate Warden of Cleveland’s Cuyahoga County Corrections Center, Ivey oversees jail operations for approximately 2100 inmates and more than 500 corrections officers. He began his corrections career in 1990, and before that served for six years in the United States Army as a combat engineer. In his free time, Ivey enjoys sports and working out.
Now, here are Warden Ivey’s answers to YOUR questions.
Misty A: You mentioned that your upbringing was hardscrabble. Who inspired you to move from extreme poverty to become a warden of Cuyahoga County? Also, what advice would you give to young people who come from distressed backgrounds to keep them from falling through the cracks?
I believe that I was inspired by the negative things that I grew up around. I also was inspired by the fact that I wanted to make my mother proud of me and put myself in a position to make life a little easier for her. Unfortunately, she passed away in 2008, before I became the associate warden. My advice to any young person that comes from a distressed background is to let that situation be your motivation. Try to find a positive role model and pattern yourself after that person.
Michele V: Do you feel part of your job is to mentor and show inmates proper behavior? How do you accomplish this?
Yes, in some cases when I am dealing with some of the younger inmates I find myself in that role. I try to accomplish that by setting a good example, and that starts by respecting everyone and being professional at all times. It’s difficult to have a huge impact because most inmates are only in the facility for a short period of time.
Quentin S: Who inspired you to be in the criminal justice field?
I don’t think anything inspired me. I was just looking for employment 20+ years ago and here I am. Who would have ever thought?
Kellie G: What are some of the things that really push your buttons in the jail?
It pushes my buttons when inmates are not truthful when filing complaints, whether it’s about an officer or another inmate. Sometimes these things take up a lot of time and manpower just to find out it was all a fabrication.
Nathan A: When an inmate appeals a write up how does your staff figure out if he’s telling the truth? Especially if it’s an inmate’s word against a guard’s?
I first talk with the inmate to try and gather information and see if there are any witnesses that can help validate his/her complaint. I then speak with the officer to hear their side of the story. I try to make the best decision based on information gathered, what I know about the inmate, and what I know about the officer.
Sheila W: With all the chaos you see daily in the jail, how do you keep yourself sane? I’m not saying that every day is chaos, but seeing the things you see and dealing with the different things you deal with day to day, how don’t you become depressed?
After working in the field for so long you become somewhat numb to some of the things that go on around you because they are just part of the job.
Debi S: What is your jail doing in implementing programs to lower recidivism rates in your county? What programs work the best?
The courts have a Prison Diversion Program in which they can sentence inmates to the local incarceration program instead of prison. This allows the inmate to avoid getting a prison number or being on any post-release control upon release. The jail also offers G.E.D classes, parenting classes, drug and alcohol support groups as well as a coping skills group. I believe that the effectiveness of the groups depends on whether or not the inmate follows up and continues the groups once they are released back into the community.
Jennifer K: Have you ever gotten to be good friends with any of the inmates?
Never have become good friends with any inmates.









