Ohio’s Truth In Sentencing Law Creates Different Outcomes For Incarcerated Men And Women

Incarcerated men and women in Ohio’s correctional system are navigating a two-tier system of sentencing and punishment.

For those sentenced after July 1, 1996, they get a definite release date unless they’re serving a life sentence. Those sentenced prior to July 1, 1996, however face indefinite sentences and are at the mercy of the parole board, which has total discretion over parole in Ohio. 

The difference is Ohio’s Truth in Sentencing law that went into effect in 1996.

Ideastream Public Media Reporter Matt Richmond discusses the law with us.  We covered the  issue as part of Justice Matters.  It is a reporting collaborative in conjunction with WKSU and the Statehouse News Bureau  examining Ohio’s criminal enforcement system, its challenges and opportunities for reform. A key project objective is to uncover issues of racial injustice and inequity.

Later on today’s episode of The Sound of Ideas, there is a little more than a month before the November General Election when Cleveland voters will decide who will lead the city after Mayor Frank Jackson.

Earlier this month, voters narrowed the field of seven mayoral hopefuls down to just two:  Justin Bibb and Kevin Kelley.

They now move on to compete for the city’s top job.   Since the primary, both Bibb and Kelley have been picking up endorsements and working to solidify their voting coalitions.  That has meant appearances in the media and before community groups, as Bibb and Kelley share their visions for the city.

This week we resume our After Jackson: Cleveland’s Next Mayor podcast.  It will provide in-depth coverage of the race, the candidates and the issues right up to election day.

In our latest episode, we pick up the campaign just after the primary vote.

 You can follow the After Jackson: Cleveland's Next Mayor podcast and download it from iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher and NPR One.  We will also continue to bring you the episodes weekly here on The Sound of Ideas.

 Finally, three legal challenges have now been filed with the Ohio Supreme Court in relation to new legislative maps approved for the state by the Ohio Redistricting Commission.

The maps preserve a supermajority in both the Ohio House and Ohio Senate for Republicans and were approved along party lines.  Opponents of the maps say the will of voters was ignored.  Ohio voters approved changes to the map drawing process to end gerrymandering.

Matt Richmond, Reporter, Ideastream Public Media 
Nick Castele, Senior Reporter, Ideastream Public Media  
Karen Kasler, Statehouse News Bureau Chief, Ohio Public Radio/TV