Incarceration

Everyone incarcerated in Ohio’s prisons can be classified in one of two groups – those who are commonly referred to as “old law inmates” and those known as “new law inmates.” The dividing line is July 1, 1996. That’s when Ohio changed the parole board system.

For a while now, state prisons have semi-officially been letting priests bring in sacramental wine for inmates' communions. Ohio’s new state budget now makes it legal. But even before COVID-19 locked down inmate communions, county jail inmates only received grape juice.

Ohio lawmakers say they want to reform the criminal justice system while continuing to introduce bills that enhance penalties and create new offenses.

The Greene County Board of Commissioners held a public hearing on a proposal to build a larger jail.

Even with bipartisan support to reduce Ohio's prison population, state lawmakers are increasing the number of felonies and penalties defendants face.

The Montgomery County Jail Coalition held a press conference June 2 demanding the county to release their plans for a bigger jail.

A big change coming to Ohio’s court system starting July 1, as the state takes a step closer to getting rid of cash bail for people being held in jail.

There have been 115 confirmed or probable COVID-19 inmate deaths and 7 staff deaths in Ohio’s prison system. The prison population has been reduced because of COVID, but advocates say the facilities are still overcrowded and dangerous.

At the beginning of the pandemic, the number of inmates in the Montgomery County Jail was reduced to less than 500. Now, that number has climbed back up to nearly 700.

Public health experts and advocates have worried about correctional facilities since the beginning of the pandemic. In such close quarters, social...

Gov. Eric Holcomb often brags about the Indiana Women’s Prison. Last year, Holcomb showed the prison off to Ivanka Trump. He’s mentioned the prison in...

The outbreak of COVID-19 among inmates at the Montgomery County Jail has grown since the first case was reported on June 10. The facility currently has 17…