May 24-26: Ohio Gov’t and Community Leaders Work to Keep Ex-Inmates Out of Prison

Ohio Out4Life Prisoner Re-entry Movement Examines Ways to Maximize Public Safety and Stretch Corrections Dollars

COLUMBUS, Ohio, May 17, 2010—Ohio has more than 351,000 men and women under state and local correctional supervision, costing taxpayers more than $1.79 billion annually.¹  An estimated 90 percent of state offenders will eventually be released back into our neighborhoods,² and many will be re-arrested for a new crime or for violating the terms of their release - a public safety and financial concern.

May 24 - 26 in Columbus, Prison Fellowship - the world's largest outreach to prisoners, ex-prisoners and their families - will launch Out4Life, a re-entry movement bringing together members of Ohio's government, businesses, social services and faith communities to tackle the state's re-entry issues.  The goal is to establish local coalitions - particularly in the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, Dayton, Springfield and Toledo areas - to help released inmates find steady jobs, adequate housing, substance-abuse treatment and supportive relationships to help them establish a productive, law-abiding life.  Aiding released offenders is necessary because not only is the revolving door of crime a threat to public safety, but it results in an increasing financial burden on Ohio taxpayers.  

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WHO:   

Prison Fellowship, the world's largest outreach to prisoners, ex-offenders and their families, in partnership with the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction

 

WHAT:   

Launch of the Ohio Out4Life re-entry movement to tackle offender re-entry issues such as employment, addiction treatment, public safety, family issues, special needs of women prisoners and the importance of establishing re-entry networks

 

WHEN:       

May 24 - 26

 

WHERE:   

The Westin

310 S. High Street

Columbus, OH 43215

(614) 228-3800

 

REGISTER:   

Visit Out4Life.com or call 877-478-0100.  All Out4Life attendees may participate in a marketplace exhibit center with booths and displays about their re-entry support services and assistance 

 

DETAILS:   

Schedule

 

INTERVIEWS:

• Ohio ex-offender Ben Walters who was behind bars for five years after being convicted of robbery, burglary, kidnapping, forgery and theft

• Ohio ex-offender Bob Brummett who served eight years in prison for drug and alcohol involvement; three states had warrants for his arrest

• Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction representatives (for interviews contact Julie Walburn at 614-752-1150)

• Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction Former Director Dr. Reginald Wilkinson

• Ohio House of Representatives, former member and sponsor of HB 130 (2007) John White

• Prison Fellowship President and former Virginia Attorney General Mark Earley

• Prison Fellowship Ohio Executive Director Mary Engle

• Ohio ex-offenders who have turned from a life of crime and become productive employees, mothers, fathers and neighbors since their release from prison

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Ohio is the eighth state to launch Out4Life.  Re-entry movements are already underway in Louisiana, Arkansas, Tennessee, Georgia, Michigan, Arizona and Minnesota.

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¹Pew Center on the States
²Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction

 

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