Ohio lawmakers have called for a complete overhaul of the state’s corrections system, placing more emphasis on keeping inmates from returning after their release.
Here are some of the highlights of the proposal, which passed the Ohio House on Wednesday:
» Allow inmates to work off up to 8 percent of their sentence by participating in job training and rehabilitation programs.
» Allow judges to sign off on a risk reduction program, which will allow inmates to shave 25 percent off their sentence if they participate in certain programs.
» Remove prison as a sentencing option for first-time, nonviolent, low-level felony offenders, instead requiring three years of probation.
» Allow communities to establish minimum security settings for those serving 30 days or less.
» Increase the penalty for the highest-level felonies.
» Increase the threshold for a felony level theft from $500 to $1,000.
» Remove mandatory minimum sentences for marijuana and hash violations, and equalize the penalties for crack-cocaine and powder cocaine offenses.
» Establish term limits on the parole board.
Source: Ohio General Assembly