Reentry in Ohio Corrections: A Catalyst for Change

Interagency Steering Committees

Offenders returning to the community need to reestablish themselves as community members, but often face significant barriers to adjustment that result in a return to crime (Petersilia, 2003). Corrections departments are often ill-equipped to handle all of the barriers surrounding the release of offenders to communities having high concentrations of social problems. These communities often experience economic and social isolation, a lack of social service agency access, high rates of health and substance abuse problems, and homelessness. The solution to such release barriers requires a holistic response extending beyond the boundaries of DRC. As Taxman, Young, Byrne, Holsinger, and Anspach (2002) report, criminal justice agencies cannot address these barriers alone and must engage the family, community service providers, the faith community and other community-based organizations in the quest for successful reentry. In response to the need for multi-agency collaboration, DRC has taken steps to develop and participate in interagency steering committees. Steering committees are designed to engage families, community organizations and the justice system in monitoring and assisting with prisoner reintegration (Petersilia, 2003, p. 199). Currently, DRC provides leadership and guidance across four interagency steering committees targeting reentry.

The State Agency Offender Reentry Coalition. The Coalition was formed in 2004 to provide inter-agency collaboration and support on key issues pertaining to offender reentry in such areas as legislation, programming, policies, technical assistance, and the dissemination of information. The committee is lead by DRC representatives and includes participation from the Departments of Mental Health, Education, Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities, Alcohol and Drug Addictions Services, Job and Family Services, Public Safety, Aging, Health, Youth Services, Board of Regents, the Office of Criminal Justice Services, and the Office of Faith-based and Community Services. The committee takes an activist approach to reentry-actively seeking a multitude of state agencies for participation in the reentry process. ODRC Family Council. The Council is comprised of various state agencies, family members, non-profit and inferfaith members, and family counseling practitioners who help to support offenders returning to the community and aid in family reintegration. Members of the committee are actively involved in developing institutional and community-based initiatives to prepare the offender and family members for release. Many of the committee members are participating in the Family Life Center Pilot program. The Council seeks to implement programs and strategies that will help to reduce the impact of incarceration on the family.

Community Justice Cabinet. Community justice focuses on the development of partnerships between victims, offenders, local organizations, and criminal justice agencies. Programs associated with community justice provide support for victims, stress accountability and acceptance with offenders, and recognize that it takes a community to reintegrate offenders. The Community Justice Cabinet is comprised of DRC staff, criminal justice professionals from other agencies, and representatives from local community agencies. The Cabinet provides oversight and guidance to community justice programs. In Ohio, community justice programs typically involve the offender, the victim, and the community in a process designed to repair the harm caused by the crime. Several examples of such DRC programs include Victim-Offender Dialogues, and Victim Awareness Classes.