Reentry in Ohio Corrections: A Catalyst for Change

Journal of Correctional Education, Jun 2005 by Wilkinson, Reginald A, Rhine, Edward E, Henderson-Hurley, Martha

Vision of Reentry

Ohio's system of reentry will provide opportunities for offenders to successfully connect as productive members of society. Through active partnerships with all stakeholders, reentry will contribute to safer communities and an enhanced quality of life.

Reentry Mission Statement

The Reentry Initiative is a holistic and systematic approach that seeks to reduce the likelihood of additional criminal behavior. Beginning at sentencing and extending beyond release, reentry will assess, identify and link offenders with services specific to their needs. This will be accomplished through associations with community partners, families, justice professionals, and victims of crime.

Slogan for Reentry: Reentry means 'Going Home to Stay'

Reentry Initiatives in Ohio

Significant progress has been made toward the implementation of the forty-four recommendations from The Ohio Plan. DRC has implemented a series of policies and procedures and established collaborative partnerships with numerous public and private agencies to assist released offenders with adjusting to the community by meeting educational, employment, mental health, substance abuse, and familial needs. Four strategies have been applied relative to implementing The Ohio Plan:

1) The establishment of policies and procedures within correctional institutions that a) determine upon admission "What is needed to prepare this offender for successful reentry"; b) ensure that subsequent programming addresses criminogenic needs; and c) include familial and community-based partners in programming prior to the offender's release back into the community.

2) The development of community-based reentry programs that link offenders with services, prevents reoffending through additional targeting of criminogenic needs upon release, and incorporates the family and community.

3) An expanded commitment to increasing DRC collaborations with other agencies to develop a seamless and successful transition of offenders from prison to the street.

4) A long-term focus on conducting research to evaluate the effectiveness of reentry efforts.

Reentry Initiatives Established Within Institutions

Institutional Policy Changes. As Ohio's reentry plan emphasizes an approach that begins at the offender's admission into the department, implementation efforts started initially inside the institutions. The first step occurred when DRC changed its assessment and institutional planning protocols to reflect the inclusion of Reentry Management Teams (RMT), and Reentry Accountability Plans (RAP). RMTs, which are a multi-disciplinary team comprised of DRC staff, have primary responsibility for developing, monitoring, and updating RAP for offenders who are classified as reentry intensive (or high risk). RAP is an individualized case plan designed to identify and target the offender's risk and needs areas through appropriate institutional programming.

Upon admission to DRC, work begins on the development of a RAP for all offenders. As part of RAP, the new inmate is first screened for risk and needs. The needs assessment includes an evaluation of seven dynamic needs - employment/education, marital/family, associates, substance abuse, community functioning, personal/emotional, and attitude. Upon completion of the static and dynamic assessments, the RMT (for reentry intensive cases) or case managers and other staff (for reentry basic or lower risk cases) make recommendations for areas to be targeted through institutional programming during the offender's period of incarceration. These programming needs must be addressed prior to release.