criminal justice reform
‘Ohio is strong.’ DeWine emphasizes mental health, avoids controversy at State of the State
After two years of being wracked by a deadly pandemic and nationwide political turbulence, GOP Gov. Mike DeWine delivered a “State of the State” address aimed to force a political system to steadier times. Addressing the legislature, justices on the Supreme Court, ranking state officials, and the state at large, DeWine avoided heated political issues […]
We need cash bail reform to help fix the broken justice system in Ohio
“Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain.” I remember the first time I watched the Wizard of Oz. I was fascinated by the storytelling, mesmerized by the bright colors and exciting action, and terrified of “The Great and Powerful Oz.” That is until Toto, Dorothy’s adorable and fearless dog pulls back the curtain […]
Bail reform could reduce disparities and save money
Last month, state Sens. Rob McColley and Steve Huffman introduced a bill to reform the bail system in Ohio. Ohio has already had some counties dip their toe in the bail reform water. Toledo’s Lucas County released twice as many defendants in 2015 in its first year using a new bail-setting system based on risk […]
Biden urges Congress to act on policing reform after meeting with George Floyd family
WASHINGTON — A year after George Floyd’s killing by a Minneapolis police officer, his family returned Tuesday to Washington, D.C., where lawmakers have been attempting to craft a bipartisan bill to overhaul the nation’s policing laws. Congress failed to act by the anniversary of Floyd’s death — the deadline that President Joe Biden had urged lawmakers […]
Unfinished business: 5 legislative priorities in Ohio pushed to 2021
The 133rd Ohio General Assembly wrapped up its term with a flurry of lame-duck activity last week, closing out a challenging year of legislating amid a global pandemic. Lawmakers hurried to get priority bills passed and sent to Gov. Mike DeWine’s desk for a signature before the two-year term ended. There were, however, a number […]
Being convicted of a crime has thousands of consequences besides incarceration. Some last a lifetime.
At least 77 million U.S. adults have criminal records, including nearly 7 million currently in prison or jail or on probation or parole. Typically, more than 10,000 of the incarcerated leave prison and nearly 200,000 churn through jails every week. But because more than 64,000 inmates and workers have become infected with the coronavirus so […]
Bill to raise drug trafficking penalties now also lowers health order violation penalties
A bill originally written to enhance drug trafficking laws around Ohio’s rehab centers now also lowers the consequences for violating pandemic health orders. The amendment to Senate Bill 55 joined the bill in a 58-35 Ohio House vote on Wednesday that went along party lines. While the bulk of the bill raises the severity of […]
The fast way for Gov. DeWine to save lives in Ohio prisons
Gov. Mike DeWine has made Ohio a national leader in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, saving countless lives in the process. With the virus spiking in some Ohio prisons, DeWine can save countless more lives by using a little-known tool: the reprieve power. Ohio’s prisons contain nearly 50,000 inmates and are visited daily by thousands […]
Criminal justice reform group releases video with wide spectrum of supporters
The Alliance for Safety and Justice (ASJ) on Wednesday released a new video of key Ohio stakeholders from the state legislature, law enforcement, and advocacy and policy organizations urging support for criminal justice reform via Senate Bill 3. The video features Ohio Senate President Larry Obhof, Senate Bill 3 sponsor state Sen. John Eklund, Ohio […]
Ohio policy areas to watch in 2020
Ohio legislators proposed more than 700 bills in 2019, with fewer than two-dozen being signed into law. That means the state senators and representatives have plenty more to do in 2020, the second and final year of the 133rd General Assembly. As we look ahead to this new year, here are five policy topics to […]