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Bipartisan Group Pushes To Reduce Ohio's Prison Population

At the lectern: Piper Kerman, author of “Orange is the New Black.” She was joined by various state leaders and Grover Norquist of Americans for Tax Reform and Alison Holcomb of the ACLU. (Andy Chow/Statehouse Bureau)

A bipartisan group has launched a new effort to reduce Ohio's inmate population. Statehouse reporter Andy Chow has more.

A committee of state and local leaders is working on revising Ohio's criminal laws in hopes of finding alternatives so fewer non-violent offenders are sent to prison.

Piper Kerman is the author of the well-known book "Orange is the New Black," and says revising the code should include creating more community-based probation.

"In other words, not exiling people to prison but rather holding them accountable in the community and getting them the help they need if they need help," said Kerman.

Also joining in support of the committee were nationally recognized tax reform advocate Grover Norquist and ACLU leader Alison Holcomb.

The committee will continue to meet and put out a report for the fall of next year.