Welcome to the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction

Message from the Director

In December 2008, the Ohio General Assembly passed a historic piece of reentry legislation, House Bill 130, which created the Ohio Ex-Offender Reentry Coalition.  The Reentry Coalition is committed to assisting offenders as they reenter the state's communities in an effort to become law-abiding and productive citizens.  Its primary goals are to: (1) reintegrate offenders into society, (2) reduce recidivism, and (3) maintain public safety.

It is significant that each year over 28,000 adult offenders and 1,700 juvenile offenders are released from institutions across the state.  Whether returning offenders become taxpayers or tax burdens is largely dependent on their ability to find productive employment, stable housing, and links to vital community services.  The Reentry Coalition will serve as a guiding hub for expanding and improving reentry efforts across state and local communities.

The road to this success will be highlighted through the Reentry Coalition's new Web site. The site, www.reentrycoalition.ohio.gov, will provide ongoing access to current and useful information about offender reentry in Ohio and throughout the country.  It will offer timely updates about resources and innovative work underway by state and local coalition partners.  This Web site will serve as the gateway to the shared successes of efforts by community providers on the front line and the best practices that emerge as a result of the dedicated commitment of local coalitions and individuals targeting reentry.

When the reentry transition works well, there are benefits to the community. Correctional and criminal justice costs are reduced in the long-run as offenders are directed away from reoffending to more productive work and civic contributions.  Successful reentry is important not only to the futures of offenders and their families, but also to the well-being and quality of life in the neighborhoods throughout Ohio.

As the Chair of the Reentry Coalition, I am proud of the work that has been accomplished thus far by dedicated community and state partners, knowing the triumphs have only just begun.  As Director of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, I am pleased to be a part of this partnership.  It is collaborations such as this that ensure we are successful in our mission of public safety and successful offender reentry.  The Coalition further allows us to operate by our core values of Integrity, Leadership, Excellence, Accountability and Diversity - I LEAD.

Respectfully,
Terry J. Collins
Director