OHIO JUSTICE AND POLICY CENTER

SECOND CHANCE:THIS STRATEGIC GOAL AIMS TO EXPAND THE FREEDOM OF PEOPLE WITH CRIMINAL RECORDS TO PARTICIPATE FULLY IN THE COMMUNITY. PEOPLE WITH CRIMINAL RECORDS FACE UNPRECEDENTED, LIFELONG BARRIERS TO OBTAINING AND RETAINING GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT, ACCESSING EDUCATION AT ALL LEVELS, AND FINDING STABLE HOUSING. OJPC'S SECOND CHANCE COMMUNITY LEGAL CLINICS PROVIDE EXPERT 1 ON 1 LEGAL SUPPORT TO PEOPLE WITH CRIMINAL RECORDS. THROUGH THE LEGAL CLINICS AND OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS, WE SCREEN PEOPLE FOR CRIMINAL RECORD SEALING, HELP INDIVIDUALS OBTAIN COURT-ISSUED REHABILITATION CERTIFICATES FOR EMPLOYMENT PURPOSES , PROVIDE REPRESENTATION TO HUMAN TRAFFICKING SURVIVORS; RESOLVE COURT FINES, FEES, AND COSTS; AND HELP OHIOANS IN REMOVING OTHER LEGAL BARRIERS TO EMPLOYMENT, LICENSING, HOUSING, OR CIVIC PARTICIPATION.

DECARCERATION:OJPC'S BEYOND GUILT PROJECT ADDRESSES OUR STRATEGIC GOAL TO REDUCE THE SIZE AND RACIAL DISPARITY OF THE STATE POPULATION OF INCARCERATED PEOPLE SAFELY AND SUBSTANTIALLY. LAUNCHED IN THE SPRING OF 2019, BEYOND GUILT WORKS TO FREE OVER-PUNISHED PEOPLE WHO HAVE SERVED SIGNIFICANT PORTIONS OF THEIR SENTENCES AND CAN DEMONSTRATE REHABILITATION AND READINESS TO REJOIN SOCIETY. BASED ON THE PREMISE THAT ALL PEOPLE ARE CAPABLE OF ACHIEVING REHABILITATION AND REDEMPTION, INCLUDING PEOPLE WHO COMMITTED A VIOLENT CRIME OR OTHER SERIOUS OFFENSE, WE BELIEVE (TO PARAPHRASE SISTER HELEN PREJEAN AND BRYAN STEVENSON) THAT PEOPLE SHOULD NOT BE FOREVER DEFINED BY THEIR WORST ACTS. BEYOND GUILT AIMS TO DO FOR THE OVER-PUNISHED PRISONERS WHO ADMIT GUILT WHAT INNOCENCE PROJECTS HAVE DONE FOR WRONGFULLY CONVICTED PERSONS. TO DATE, BEYOND GUILT HAS FREED MORE THAN 56 PEOPLE.WE ARE ALSO LITIGATING TWO LAWSUITS AGAINST THE OHIO PAROLE BOARD TO FORCE CHANGES THAT WOULD HELP MOR.E INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE REHABILITATED THEMSELVES GAIN THEIR FREEDOM.