Hamilton County Office of Reentry offers programs to assist returning citizens in becoming self-sufficient.
Cincinnati Hamilton County Justice Department releases approximately 1900 people yearly, and The Ohio Department of Corrections removes more than 4000 people yearly. Re-entry is difficult for the nearly 6,000 people returning to Ohio communities yearly. These individuals face challenges accessing resources critical for self-sufficiency, like education, jobs, housing, and healthcare.
Hamilton County created the Office of Reentry (HCOR) to save taxpayers’ dollars, increase public safety, and reduce reoffending by connecting returning citizens to resources. Recidivism rates in Ohio (or Hamilton County) remained at 33% for the past three years.
It costs taxpayers about $13,000 yearly to house just one person at the Hamilton County Justice Center. Moreover, the unemployment rate in Southwest Ohio remains at record lows. To reduce incarceration costs and offer solutions to workforce shortages in Hamilton County and first-ring suburbs, HCOR is looking to help transition more men and women from imprisonment to self-sufficiency.
Evidence-based re-entry policies and programs enacted in Hamilton County have improved outcomes for people released from prison and significantly reduced returns to prison from parole. These programs are most effective when initiated before the person’s release from the correctional facility; however, HCOR re-entry coordinators have also had many successes working with persons who receive support and counseling post-release.
HCOR now leads several programs and offers various services to persons pre- and post-release.
The program uses the Cognitive Behavior Intervention Curriculum. This curriculum equips participants with skills to tackle criminal thinking, resolve conflicts, and make responsible choices based on strong morals. Additionally, it provides a manhood/parenting component and faith-based mentoring for well-rounded reintegration.
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HCOR also supports the Alternative Interventions for Women (AIW), a program led by Court Clinic for female offenders in Hamilton County that offers those with co-occurring mental health and substance abuse disorders intervention and treatment to reduce reoffending. In collaboration with the Court Clinic Program and corrections officers, HCOR engagement instills hope, teaches life skills, and connects program participants to community resources.
HCOR collaborates with River City Correctional, Cincinnati State Community College, Beacon of Hope, and Cincinnati Works to prepare women for reentering society after incarceration. This partnership empowers these women to build sustainable careers. Funding for this project comes from public and private sources: PNC Foundation and Ohio Jobs and Family Services.
River City Women’s Correctional Facility runs a unique program where inmates can participate in supply chain classes at Cincinnati State. Upon completing the program, the participants receive a certificate of completion and are offered entry-level positions at Nehemiah Manufacturing. Upon completing the program, they earn a certificate and are offered entry-level jobs at Nehemiah Manufacturing.
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The Ohio Justice and Policy Center cites economic research claiming Ohio loses two billion dollars annually in GDP. This loss is attributed to overly strict limitations based on criminal records that prevent qualified workers from finding jobs. Returning citizens are the answer to the skilled labor shortage.
For more information about the Hamilton County Office of Reentry, call 513-946-4304 between 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. There, learn how someone incarcerated can apply for pre-release programs and to schedule a meeting with a re-entry coordinator. Their office is 138 East Court Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202, Room #101.
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Written by: Crystal Kendrick
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Cincinnati Hamilton County Office of Reentry image provided by © [cineberg] /Adobe Stock
