The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
PRISON DIRECTOR STRESSES REHAB
Proposed law would help nonviolent offenders
Ohio will focus on offender rehabilitation through a new law that would change legal penalties for violators, according to the state’s chief of prisons.
Gary Mohr, director of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections, spoke about the changes during a visit to Elyria on April 4.
Mohr attended the ribboncutting to celebrate the expansion of the Lorain/Medina Community Based Correction Facility, 9892 Murray Ridge Road.
At least 73 officials and workers attended the ceremony at the facility, which aims to keep the public safe rehabilitating offenders.
Founded in 1997, the Community Based Correction Facility has grown to have space for 102 men and 28 women.
Ohio lawmakers are considering a new law to include rehabilitation as a purpose of felony sentencing, Mohr said.
He discussed the
legislation known as Senate Bill 66, introduced in February by state Sen. John Eklund, R-Munson Township, and state Sen. Charleta Tavares, D-Columbus.
The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections worked with the legislators to draft the proposed law, Mohr said.
When judges sentence convicted felons to prison, Ohio has two main purposes: To protect the public from future crimes and to punish offenders, he said.
The new law would add
rehabilitation as a factor in Ohio law, Mohr said.
Senate Bill 66 also would give more chances to offenders in court programs known as intervention in lieu of conviction, he said.
If the offenders are successful, they can get their court sentences sealed, Mohr said.
Currently, prosecutors review cases and consider if defendants may qualify for intervention in lieu of conviction.
The new law would give judges power to determine if defendants are eligible, which would open up the intervention programs to more people, Mohr said.
Senate Bill 66 also would
grant judges power to keep offenders in intervention programs even if the offenders fail two or three drug tests, he said.
“We know that addiction is a journey, right, and that most people will fail multiple times,” Mohr said. “So, we just want to give judges the discretion of being able to continue them or not.”
In Ohio law, judges can seal records for offenders with one felony or with one felony and one misdemeanor, Mohr said. Senate Bill 66 would allow judges to seal multiple convictions for nonviolent offenders, he said.
“That’s a judicial discretion piece,” Mohr said.
The legal changes would allow nonviolent offenders better chances of finding work once they have served their penalties for convictions, he said.
People selling drugs are hurting others and they deserve to go to prison, Mohr said.
“We’re going to hammer people that are hurting people,” he said.
Lorain County Common Pleas Judge James L. Miraldi agreed the Lorain/ Medina Community Based Correction Facility is not for every offender.
“As a judge, I have responsibilities sometimes to incarcerate people,” Miraldi said. “There are some people
where, if I say you throw away the key, I’m all for it, because you have to, to protect society.
“But rehabilitation is a smarter way in the long run.”
The group also heard from Medina County Judge Joyce Kimbler; state Sen. Gayle Manning, R-North Ridgeville; state Rep. Nathan Manning, R-North Ridgeville; and Community Based Correction Facility Executive Director Mike Willets. Community Based Correction Facility board member Carl Small gave the invocation; he also is pastor of Second Baptist Church of Elyria.
The Community Based
Correction Facility has space for the area offices of the Ohio Adult Parole Authority.
During his visit, Mohr gave Impact Awards to three parole officers for their work.
Mohr read an offender’s testimonial letter about the firm but caring work of Parole Officer Daniel Riley, who works out of the Elyria office. Riley received a standing ovation from the group.
Parole officers John Christie and Scott Scislo of the Akron area were honored for giving prompt medical attention to a woman overdosing on drugs, who they found during a visit checking on someone on parole.