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ADVOCATE FOR JUSTICE THAT RESTORES

If you share our vision for a justice system that restores all those impacted by crime and incarceration, please join our growing network of advocates. Together we can inspire the Church, change the culture, and advance justice reform.

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With more than 45 years of experience helping to restore men and women behind bars, Prison Fellowship advocates for federal and state criminal justice reforms that recognize the value and potential of every person. We promote reforms that help transform those responsible for crime, validate victims, and create safer communities through proportional punishment, constructive corrections culture, and second chances.

In Ohio, Prison Fellowship has continued to look at opportunities to reduce overincarceration and embrace second chances for men and women who have served their time. Prison Fellowship supports targeted pretrial reform so that safety, not access to wealth, guides pretrial decision making. Additionally, Prison Fellowship supports reducing overuse of driver’s license suspensions and other barriers to success. It is time for all Ohioans to be given a pathway to opportunity and earned success.

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WAYS YOU CAN GET INVOLVED

TELL YOUR STORY

Have you been incarcerated in the past and experienced or overcome barriers to reentry? One testimony at a time, we can advance justice that restores.


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GIVE YOUR SIGNATURE

Tell your senators to support SB 301 and remove unnecessary barriers to employment while making Ohio neighborhoods safer, stronger, and more prosperous.


SIGN

GROW THE MOVEMENT

Invite your friends to sign up for our advocacy network. They can advance justice in just a few clicks! Every voice makes a difference.

LEARN

2023 STATE STATISTICS

43,551 Adults in Prison

679 Minors in Juvenile Facilities

201,455 Adults on Probation

27,956 Adults on Parole

36,485.40 Cost of Incarceration per Adult Prisoner

185,303.00 Cost of Incarceration per Juvenile

Governor: Republican

Senate: Republican

House: Republican

2023–2024 Session: January 3, 2023–December 31, 2024

PRISON FELLOWSHIP IN OHIO

In 2021, Prison Fellowship celebrated the passage of HB 262 , known as the Fresh Start Act, which removed unnecessary government barriers to licensed work in high-demand, high-paying professions. Thanks to this law, Ohio is now a national leader in safely promoting access to occupational license to people with a criminal record. In 2018, SB 66 was passed which expanded eligibility for drug and alcohol treatment programs, promoted alternatives to incarceration, and improved parole supervision practices.

SIGN THE JUSTICE DECLARATION!

Grounded in biblical values and signed by more than 12,000 Christians and prominent faith leaders, the Justice Declaration is a call to the Church to deploy its unique and unparalleled capacity to respond to crime and overincarceration.

SIGN THE DECLARATION

IN THE NEWS

RAISE YOUR VOICE

We encourage Christians who are experienced in advocacy, looking to learn more, or interested in increasing their involvement to apply to the Justice Ambassador program. Justice Ambassadors’ voices can be effective tools to inspire the Church, change the culture, and advance justice that restores. Become a Justice Ambassador with Prison Fellowship today.

FEDERAL JUSTICE REFORM OPPORTUNITIES

Prison Fellowship has been active on Capitol Hill for decades, lobbying the Administration and Congress to support groundbreaking reforms to make communities safer, respect victims, and transform lives. No matter what state you call home, you can be part of our federal justice reform campaigns!

ENSURING PROPORTIONAL PUNISHMENT

The FIRST STEP Act was passed to reduce disproportional drug offenses and allow earn time credits to be awarded for program participation. Contact lawmakers to request they fully implement the law and maximize its potential!

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ADVANCING CONSTRUCTIVE PRISON CULTURE

Studies have revealed that participation in education programs during incarceration has resulted in a 43% lower recidivism rate. Encourage lawmakers to restore Pell Grant access behind bars to offer hope and higher education to incarcerated men and women.

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UNLOCKING
SECOND CHANCES

The Fair Chance Act allows formerly incarcerated individuals to show their talents, skills, & commitment to personal growth as they compete in labor markets. Ask lawmakers to support second chances through this thoughtful approach to criminal justice.

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*Statistics generated from reports by the Bureau of Justice Statistics (Mortality in Local Jails and State Prisons 2000-2011; Probation and Parole in the United States (2013);Prisoners in 2013, Vera Institute of Justice (The Price of Prisons), 2010 Census, Office of Juvenile Justice and Deliquency Provention 2011 and various department of corrections' websites.

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JOIN RESTORATION PARTNERS AND WITNESS GOD RESTORE LIVES

Restoration Partners give monthly to bring life-changing prison ministry programs to incarcerated men and women across the country.

 

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