Black caucus backs Issue 1; Delaware County doesn’t

Calling Issue 1 an effort to restore people’s lives and reduce Ohio’s prison population, the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus on Thursday endorsed the proposed constitutional amendments.

“When we look at the history of incarceration, specifically people of color, for poor people, we have not been working collectively, innovatively to really try to help people,” said Rep. Stephanie Howse, D-Cleveland, president of the caucus, which represents most Democratic black lawmakers.

“What we have been doing is over-incarcerating people and really giving people a lifelong sentence when you give them the title of ‘felon.’”

Meanwhile, elected officials in Delaware County on Thursday joined those opposing the proposed constitutional amendment that seeks to reduce penalties for low-level drug offenses.

“This amendment will be disastrous,” Delaware County Common Pleas Court Judge Everett Krueger said. “Every time I read it, I come up with more concerns.”

He said it would “emasculate” drug courts and infringe upon constitutionally separate branches of government.

“If it passed, some of the most lenient drug crime laws in the nation will become part of the Ohio Constitution,” Delaware County Commissioner Barb Lewis added.

The proposal would allow offenders, excluding those convicted of murder, rape or child molestation, to have their sentences reduced by 25 percent if they complete education or rehabilitation programs while in prison.

“What does that mean for us? That means that those people are now in our neighborhoods again,” Delaware County Prosecutor Carol O’Brien said.

Howse said it’s an incentive to get inmates to improve themselves.

“Many people, when they are released, are many times no better than when they went in, and sometimes worse,” she said.

Both Howse and Rob Richardson, Democratic candidate for state treasurer, accused opponents of Issue 1 of fearmongering. Richardson said there is an economic argument in support of Issue 1, noting that the state spends about $1.8 billion on its prison system.

“We don’t have a resource problem in Ohio. We have a priority problem,” he said. “We have a focus on incarcerating people that shouldn’t be incarcerated.”

The proposal has divided the Democratic statewide ticket, with Richardson and gubernatorial candidate Richard Cordray in support, but attorney general candidate Steve Dettelbach in opposition.

Some, including Dettelbach, don’t like putting the issue in the constitution.

Asked about concern that without the threat of jail time to incentivize addicts to go to rehab, Issue 1 will neuter drug courts and lead to less treatment, Richardson said other states have passed similar measures without those problems.

Delaware County Sheriff Russell Martin said jail programs already are helping inmates kick their habits, noting how inmates have personally thanked him.

Issue 1, he said, “will displace people — to the streets, or continue to commit crimes, or you’ll see them in the morgues.”