DAYTON, Ohio (AP) -- A new report says fights and disturbances have increased at a now privatized state prison in northeast Ohio.

The Correctional Institutions Inspection Committee's report documents findings from a surprise committee visit last month to the Lake Erie Correctional Institution in Conneaut.

The report says the committee found a high presence of gang activity, illegal substance abuse and frequent extortion among other problems. The report also says prison staff hesitated to use appropriate force and noted low staff morale.

The Dayton Daily News (http://bit.ly/120p5yx ) reports a Corrections Corp. of America spokesman disputes the findings. He says there have been significant security upgrades and gang activity declined since the company took over the prison last January.

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Information from: Dayton Daily News, http://www.daytondailynews.com