Ohio Prisoner Re-Entry Movement Aims to Help Ex-Inmates Become Productive Citizens

COLUMBUS, May 4, 2010— More than 275,000 ex-prisoners are on probation or parole and living in Ohio neighborhoods.¹  Another 28,000 Ohio prisoners will be released this year.²  More than half of released prisoners will return to prison within three years.³ 

May 24-26, hundreds of Ohio government, faith and community leaders will gather at Out4Life Ohio to discuss reducing recidivism and the $1.79 billion in taxes spent yearly on corrections in the state of Ohio.¹  Successful re-entry is the answer according to Out4Life organizers, which include Prison Fellowship - the world's largest outreach to prisoners, ex-prisoners and their families - and the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction.  Out4Life will address the keys to ex-prisoners' successful re-entry including the ability to find jobs, locate housing, obtain needed social services and mentors.    

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WHAT:  Launch of the Out4Life Ohio re-entry movement to tackle prisoner re-entry issues.  The goal of Out4Life Ohio is to establish local coalitions - particularly in the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, Dayton, Springfield and Toledo areas - to help released prisoners find steady jobs, adequate housing, substance-abuse treatment and supportive relationships that keep them on the right track.

WHO: In partnership with the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, Prison Fellowship - the world's largest outreach to prisoners, ex-prisoners and their families - will host Out4Life Ohio.  The launch event will feature speakers including:

• Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction Assistant Director Linda Janes

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

• Prison Fellowship President and former Virginia Attorney General Mark Earley

• Prison Fellowship Ohio Executive Director Mary Engle

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

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

Workshops will delve into topics such as employment, housing, education, addiction treatment, public safety, family issues, special needs of veteran and women prisoners, and the importance of establishing re-entry networks.

WHEN:  May 24-26

WHERE:  The Westin - Columbus
             310 S. High Street
             Columbus, OH 43215
             (614) 228-3800

DETAILS:  Schedule

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC:  Any organization or individual who would like to work together to address practical barriers to prisoner re-entry and offer strategies to reduce prisoner recidivism is invited to attend.  All attendees may participate in a marketplace exhibit center with booths and displays about their re-entry support services and assistance.

REGISTER:  www.Out4Life.com

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

¹ Pew Center on the States

² Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction

³ Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2002

 

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