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ACLU Recommends Ohio Justice System Reforms

Mike Brickner, ACLU of Ohio (Statehouse Bureau)

Republicans and Democrats in Ohio are working together on a task force to reduce the prison population by reforming the criminal justice system. And several groups are reaching out to the task force to voice their opinions, most recently the ACLU. From our Statehouse Bureau Andy Chow reports.

The ACLU of Ohio laid out six specific changes for the Ohio Criminal Justice Recodification Committee to consider.

They include limiting mandatory minimum sentencing, prioritizing rehabilitation and cutting down on sanctions which the ACLU’s Mike Brickner says keep former offenders from being successful after being released from prison.

Brickner: “You may not be able to get certain jobs, you may not be able to apply for certain professional licenses, you may not be eligible for certain types of housing if you’re convicted of certain drug crimes you can’t get certain scholarships and educational opportunities.”

The Office of the Ohio Public Defender and the Ohio Justice and Policy Center endorsed the report.