Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction OCSS - Black River Branch

Location

The Black River Branch operates on the grounds of the Lorain Correctional Institution (LorCI) located near Grafton, Ohio.  LorCI houses an average of 1,900 minimum, medium, and close security inmates. The LorCI Black River Branch is proud to commit to the following educational programs:

Academic Programs:

• Computer Applications
• Career Scope
• Fast Track GED
• GED
• Pre-GED

Career/Technical (vocational)/ Apprenticeship Programs:

• Janitorial Services
• Animal Trainer

Overview

The Black River Branch serves both reception and cadre inmates.  Educational services begin at reception and continue throughout a student’s stay at LorCI. On the third day of incarceration at Lorain, inmates complete the CASAS testing battery.  All reception inmates younger than twenty-two years of age are interviewed and required to complete the Washington and ADHD screenings for possible special needs assistance.   All inmates are placed on a school class waiting list until diplomas are verified or the inmate is enrolled in an education class.

In addition to the educational opportunities listed above, LorCI’s library offers general reading materials and a full complement of legal resources, including computers which access the Westlaw system.  Cadre inmate law clerks assist library patrons who request help.

LorCI operates a well-developed short term offender (STO) program which involves several inmate services departments.  The Black River Branch staff conducts weekly employability workshops for STOs and offer bi-weekly Career Scope sessions to them.