ohiolegalhelp.org is a site with direct access to resources for Ohioans in need of legal assistance for a variety of reasons, including but not limited to housing, families, debt, court appearances, public benefits, seniors, traffic, and more.
Some states put up roadblocks that make it more difficult for people with criminal records to cast a ballot. Here are the rules in Ohio.
Video funded in part through a grant from the Ohio State Bar Foundation.
1-minute explainer video with helpful tips for returning citizens looking for a fresh start.
Funded by a grant from the Ohio State Bar Foundation.
Reentry after prison can be difficult. Many people leave prison with little no financial savings, job prospects, or affordable housing options.
While there are many unfair structural obstacles to reentry, here is a spreadsheet with groups of nonprofits and service organizations located in Greater Cincinnati that provide food and meals; furniture; housing and utility assistance; job training and education; medical, dental and mental health services; and transportation.
“The time for modest, incremental steps is over. We must challenge ourselves to imagine a fundamentally different justice system that is truly just, and not merely focused on punishment. We must usher in an era of being smart on crime, not just tough on crime, where accountability does not mean punishment for punishment’s sake. We can create forms of accountability that restore the law-breaker to being a productive member of society while also offering more robust healing and restoration to crime victims.” (2016)
Application for individuals interested in applying for executive clemency in the State of Ohio.
“Solitary confinement is not rehabilitative. It does not prepare people for transition to the general prison population or back into the community. It does not make prisons – or our communities – any safer.” (2016)
Suicide is the leading cause of death in jails across the country. At a time when the public is paying closer attention to local jails and their primary role in mass incarceration, it is critical to shine light on the problem of jail suicide and the steps jails can take to prevent future deaths.
By: Jason Tan de Bibiana, Therese Todd, and Leah Pope
This report outlines the ways in which people experiencing homelessness are vulnerable within the system and how this leads to negative outcomes at each justice system decision point. It also highlights the urgent need for alternate approaches to break the cycle.
By: Madeline Bailey, Erica Crew, and Madz Reeve, Aug. 2020
While this guidance should be read in its entirety, there are two important points to emphasize. Landlords should not deny housing based on an arrest alone, as arrests without convictions do not justify the denial. This guidance also prevents the use of blanket restrictions related to certain types of convictions. Accordingly, convictions should be considered on a case-by-case basis, in light of mitigating factors, such as the person’s age at the time a crime was committed, evidence of good behavior since the crime was committed, and how long ago the conviction occurred.
(current as of April 2020)