For Immediate Release

| April 3, 2020
COLUMBUS - In response to Gov. Mike DeWine's announcement that the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction will recommend the release of a limited number of pregnant women and elderly people from state prison facilities, the Alliance for Safety and Justice released the following statement from its Ohio State Director, Shakyra Diaz.

“The DeWine administration's announcement that it will provide a list of 23 pregnant women and 15 elderly people to be considered for release from state prison is the start of an important recognition: that people who pose no substantial public safety risk don't need to remain incarcerated, especially during a pandemic. We encourage the administration to continue evolving and expanding its efforts to safely reduce incarceration, as prisons are places where the virus can easily spread and expose people detained or working there and, in turn, their families and communities. Governor DeWine has shown strong leadership to protect Ohioans from the spread of COVID-19 and prioritize their health. His administration can prevent Ohio from the outbreaks we are beginning to see increase across the country in correctional facilities by taking steps to safely reduce incarceration," Diaz said.

ABOUT ALLIANCE FOR SAFETY AND JUSTICE

The Alliance for Safety and Justice is a national organization that aims to win new safety priorities in states across the country. It partners with leaders to advance state reform through networking, coalition building, research, education and advocacy. It also brings together diverse crime survivors to advance policies that help communities most harmed by crime and violence, as part of Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice - its national network of over 42,000 crime survivors with thousands of members in Ohio.

For more information:

Dennis Willard

614.209.8945

dennis@precisionnewmedia.com