Posted on 04/22/20 by Jasmine Ayres in Justice Reform
*This piece originally appeared in the April 2020 edition of The Columbus & Dayton African American News Journal
As Ohio’s COVID-19 crisis grows, so does concern about its impact on people living and working behind bars. Many Ohioans are understandably worried about their incarcerated loved ones. They are desperately seeking information and assurances of safety, but Governor DeWine has not included jails, prisons and detention centers in his robust statewide response like he has with nursing homes or schools.
As Ohioans band together to lift up family and community, our leaders can’t forget those who live and work in our prisons and... read more
Posted on 04/13/20 by Piet van Lier in Justice Reform
No matter where we live or what we look like, we all want to protect ourselves and our loved ones so we can stay safe and healthy. The coronavirus pandemic has begun to expose ever... read more
Posted on 12/04/19 by Intern Writer in Justice Reform
By Colleen Gravens
As Ohio considers efforts to move away from its punitive approach to criminal justice, we can learn from Oklahoma. Last month, Oklahoma took a bold step toward reforming its justice system by commuting... read more
Posted on 11/11/19 by Caitlin Johnson in Justice Reform
I live in the tiny, picturesque village of Bratenahl. Besides Lake Erie to its north, Bratenahl is completely surrounded by the city of Cleveland. The community is perhaps best known for its sprawling lakefront estates... read more
Posted on 09/30/19 by Piet van Lier in Justice Reform
Jade and Tiffany are two Ohio women serving time in prison for drug possession and struggling with addiction. Their stories show why Ohio’s punitive approach to drug possession and addiction is not working.
Ohio spends more... read more
Posted on 09/06/19 by Intern Writer in Justice Reform
By Jack McGowan
For the estimated one in three Americans with a criminal record, it can be tough to find jobs that offer fair wages and a career pathway. For many, one mark on their criminal... read more
Posted on 08/05/19 by Intern Writer in Justice Reform
Innocent people who can't make bail end up serving time, accepting plea deals
By Sydney Diewald
In the United States, everyone is supposed to be presumed innocent until proven guilty. But before they even stand trial, many... read more
Posted on 07/09/19 by in Justice Reform
People want to live in a community that feels safe. They also want their neighbors who struggle with addiction to recover. For too long, Ohio – like most states – has relied on the criminal... read more