SB 288 – Which Passed with Bipartisan Support – Includes a Suite of Reforms Elevating Rehabilitation and Stopping Cycles of Crime

COLUMBUS –

Today, Governor Mike DeWine signed into law SB 288 – a comprehensive package of public safety proposals which includes policies to prioritize rehabilitation, reduce recidivism, and improve safety in Ohio. The omnibus bill was sponsored by Senator Nathan Manning (R-North Ridgeville), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and supported by the Alliance for Safety and Justice (ASJ) and the more-than 5,000 Ohio members of Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice (CSSJ). SB 288 will improve public safety by providing opportunities for incarcerated individuals to succeed after release, reducing the chances that they will return to prison. “Today, Ohio has reaffirmed its commitment to safety for every community across the state. We thank Governor DeWine for standing with crime survivors and others in support of SB 288, which builds upon the progress we've made in recent years to prioritize proven safety solutions. These approaches will strengthen communities most impacted by violence, provide the tools for formerly incarcerated people to succeed, and end cycles of victimization. We thank Senator Manning for sponsoring SB 288 as our work in securing a safer Ohio continues,” said Candace S. Williams, Ohio State Director for the Alliance for Safety and Justice. “What crime survivors want most is for what happened to us to never happen to anybody else. Our priority is to address the root causes of crime, so we can save lives and bring hope to our communities. Now that SB 288 has become law, the proven power of healing and rehabilitation will be felt in our communities that have been most impacted by violence. We thank Governor DeWine, Senator Manning, and those who have elevated and supported the concerns of Ohio crime survivors,” said Haleigh Young, Ohio member of Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice.

Both ASJ and CSSJ advocated for the following specific elements to be included in the omnibus bill:

Earned Credit Expansion - SB 288 updates and expands the earned credit program, which incentivizes participation in and completion of recidivism-reducing programs like vocational training and education for people in prison. The bill allows greater access to credits for completing eligible programs, expands the cap on participation credits, and adjusts earning rates to align Ohio's with rates and caps in other peer states.
Transitional Control - SB 288 would improve the transitional control program by reducing barriers to eligible persons, giving them access to successful programs that have been proven to improve outcomes after prison.
Expedited Judicial Release - This bill strengthens and streamlines the judicial release process, allowing the Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections to make recommendations after rigorously vetting people to assess who is ready to return home.

The full text of the bill can be viewed here. ABOUT THE 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 100,000 crime survivors, with 5,000 members in Ohio. For more information, visit https://allianceforsafetyandjustice.org.

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