LEBANON, Ohio (WKRC) - Tensions between inmates and prison officials at the Warren Correctional Institution are rising following a series of moves made by the state prison system to counter the spread of coronavirus.

According to interviews with four inmates inside the medium-security prison, there have been several minor clashes over the moves, which include cutting meals back to two a day.

Inmates say guards have brandished guns loaded with rubber bullets and have donned protective gear. In addition, some have been sent to solitary after protesting the changes, with food being a major spark point.

"Yesterday, we ate at 4:20 pm. Today, we just ate at 11:30. We were supposed to have an enhanced brunch, but they gave us a regular tray with just a left-over patty from yesterday,” said inmate Antwon Cornett, a native of Cincinnati.

The Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections issued a lengthy statement late Friday after being contacted by Local 12.

The agency said that proper sanitation and cleaning procedures were in place and that while it did cut back to two meals daily, it was done to minimize contact between inmates. The agency denied using guns and said inmates were still receiving at least 2,500 calories a day.

“Warren Correctional Institution did not deploy any type of ‘rubber bullets’,” the agency said in its statements. “Soap and disinfectant is readily available. We have developed clean teams that are constantly disinfecting to help prevent the spread the virus.

“Most facilities began this week serving two meals per day: a hot brunch meal and a hot evening meal. This is being done to ensure we have less movement and less contact to reduce the potential spread of COVID-19.”

But inmates interviewed by phone over the last two days say the prison is not fulfilling those promises.

Some say they are afraid of catching the virus inside and that it will spread quickly.

"I know I'm going to die because I've already got health issues and I'm on chronic care," said inmate Jason McCrary.

The tensions come after Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine expressed concern over the prison system, specifically the guards inside. Inmates say guards brandished rubber-bullet guns this week to stop any protests. And there have been some showdowns as some refused to go back to their cells.

The inmates also say they last received a bar of soap early this week and have run out. The bars of soap appeared relatively small in a picture provided to Local 12, although they were supposed to last a month.

Cleaning supplies are at a minimum as well, inmates say, raising more concerns about the spread of the disease inside.

However, the agency says soap is readily available and the prison is being sanitized regularly.

"They are still herding us like cattle we don't have any soap and they just passed out toilet paper this morning or we wouldn't see that. But they don't pass out soap never," inmate Clifton Hale told Local 12.

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