Budget cuts could hit community programs
For years, Ohio has tried to get non-violent offenders out of their expensive prison cells and into a network of community corrections facilities.
But with budget cuts looming at the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, Director Gary Mohr says he will not reduce money for prison operations.
That means the only place to cut is community corrections.
The Ohio Senate, which is now reviewing the state’s biennial budget, reportedly is looking at carving $80 million to $90 million out of Mohr’s budget. Legislators must accommodate an overall state revenue shortfall expected to hit $800 million in the new twoyear budget, which will start July 1.
“I’ve always said our future is in the community,” Mohr said in an interview Thursday, “but if I have to cut our budget, I will not cut our prisons. They are crowded. We cannot afford to reduce expenses inside prisons. If we have to find the money, the money will be community dollars. I cannot cut prisons anymore. I will not do it.”
Mohr has championed the idea of channeling money and offenders to community corrections programs instead of state prisons, largely because community programs are far less expensive than state prisons. Gov. John Kasich’s administration put extra money into the budget to divert nonviolent, mostly drug offenders out of prison.
Mohr said budget cuts under consideration could “devastate” the number of diversions. “We look forward to working with the Senate and leadership on our diversions in the proposed budget,” he said.
“I’m going to go out like a lion, but I’m going to be louder,” he said.
In another personnel development, Mohr’s office issued layoff notices to 28 employees at prison farms. However, Mohr said he expects all or most of those employees to be shifted to other jobs within the prison system.
The layoffs are necessary because the state is getting out of the prison-farm business after nearly 150 years. Mohr said farming does not adequately prepare inmates for jobs outside prison and poses security risks because people drop off drugs and other contraband along miles of prison farm fences.
The state had a $5.5 million prison-farm payroll, but more than 40 employees either retired or moved to other jobs, leaving 28 earmarked for layoffs.
The Ohio Civil Service Employees Association, the union representing prison employees, opposed the closing of the prison farms and questioned the layoffs.
“Our union contract ensures that employees have equal rights and protections, including in a layoff process,” said union President Chris Mabe. “We strongly opposed this layoff and the closures of these vital farm programs, but the layoff process will at least get our members a little closer to getting their lives back.”
The state received nearly $4.5 million by selling 3,186 dairy and beef cattle and hundreds of pieces of farm equipment. There are plans to sell 6,900 acres of farmland at 10 prisons. The only remaining prison farm operation will be at Chillicothe Correctional Institution in Ross County, where 420 acres will be farmed for use by the Ohio Association of Foodbanks.