The OERC continues to promote the removing of barriers to successful offender reentry, and with that goal in mind, will continue to seek community partners that share those ideas. Please refer to our contact page for information about getting involved.
Parents, Caregivers, and Advocates of Children of Incarcerated Parents
Big Brothers Big Sisters Amachi Ohio and The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction are pleased to offer this resource manual to assist you in helping children understand and cope with the impact of having a parent or other loved one arrested and imprisoned.
Currently, Ohio has one of the highest rates of incarceration in the country resulting in more than 50,000 minor children in Ohio with a parent in jail or prison, and thousands more with a parent on probation or parole. Tens of thousands more children have experienced the trauma of having an incarcerated parent during their lifetime.
Click to view PDF guidebook
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Ohio
1855 E. Dublin-Granville Rd
. Columbus, OH 43229
614-839-2447, ext. 158
614-839-4770 (fax)
www.bbbscentralohio.org
The Face of Reentry
At the request of the Ohio State Bar Foundation, DRC
has produced a compelling video entitled “The Face of
Reentry.”
This six minute video created by the Prison
News Network at Marion Correctional Institution brings
to light the myriad of challenges that offenders face as
they return home.
The fast-paced, high energy video is
packed with sobering facts about the nation’s incarcerated
population, as well as comments from national leaders
of the reentry movement.
The video is highlighted by
testimonials provided by returning citizens driving home
the message that successful reentry takes a community
effort. For a free copy of the video contact Christopher.Yanai@odrc.state.oh.us.
Family Reentry Program (FAQs)
Question: If family involvement is an important piece of successful reentry, how does DRC assist offenders and families?
Answer: Currently there are seven grants available in DRC institutions that focus on the family, reentry of the offender, and breaking the cycle of children following in the footsteps of their parent by becoming incarcerated when they are older. The grants are funded with federal TANF money and are currently being researched through the University of Cincinnati.
To be eligible for these programs, the offender must have three to six months remaining on their his sentence and then must be willing to participate three to six months after they are released. There are several eligibility requirements such as no sex offenses, child endangering, etc. but we do consider domestic violence on a case by case basis. Once determined that an offender is eligible, the parenting partner is contacted to see if they are willing to participate. One must participate in the community and agree to participate in Strengthening Families in the institution to be considered a successful completion.
There are several perks to participating for the parenting partner, such as employment assistance and family case management. It is not uncommon for agencies to pay bills, provide food, clothing, shelter, furniture, and other referrals that the family needs to maintain while the offender is incarcerated.
Click here to read more.
Ohio Rural Recidivism Reduction Project
The Ohio Rural Recidivism Reduction project is a federally funded ODRC initiative designed to decrease recidivism in ten rural and Appalachian counties in Southern Ohio. This public and private collaboration targets ex-offenders returning to one of the ten counties and provides assistance with overcoming barriers unique to a rural setting.
Click here to read more.
