Latest News

Ohio Veterans Homes 2018 Organization of the Year

Thu, 05 Jul 2018 16:11:10 GMT

The ODRC was recognized by the Ohio Veteran Homes at their annual volunteer ceremony. ODRC was presented with the “Ohio Veterans Homes 2018 Organization of the Year” recognition plaque. This honor was awarded for the Christmas in July events organized by the DRC Military Peer Support Unit, in partnership with DRC staff, inmate groups/organizations and other private and government partnerships. These events are filled with gifts, bingo, Christmas trivia, name that Christmas song and, of course visits from Santa, elves and many other Christmas characters. The Christmas in July events continue to be highly requested by the many resident veterans of the Ohio Veteran Homes. It is truly a day full of fun and a demonstration of respect for those who have sacrificed so much for our great Nation! Accepting this honor on behalf of DRC was Juan Sanchez, DRC Military Peer Support Unit.

ODRC Named Finalist for Freedom Award

Wed, 18 Apr 2018 16:53:50 GMT

The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (ODRC) has been selected as one of 30 finalists for the 2018 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award. This prestigious award is the highest recognition given by the U.S. Government to employers for their outstanding support of employees serving the Guard and Reserve and its citizen soldiers.

The Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) received 2,350 Secretary of Defense Freedom Award nominees from all 50 states, Guam-CNMI, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the District of Columbia. The ESGR National Selection Board will select and announce the 15 recipients of the 2018 Secretary of Defense Freedom Award by mid-June.

“Being selected as one of the finalists for this award is one of the greatest honors of my career in corrections,” ODRC Director Gary Mohr shared. “Active duty and military veterans make great civil servants, and DRC has benefited greatly from them joining our family. I look forward to continuing this commitment to our veterans.”

The ODRC’s nomination was submitted by LTC Michael Burgett, Battalion Commander, 371 Special Troops Battalion Commander with the Ohio Army National Guard. During his recent deployment, LTC Burgett received over 230 care packages from the department that he helped deliver to many soldiers under his command. While not actively serving in the USARMY, LTC Burgett is a parole officer with Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction.

ODRC is greatly honored and humbled to be recognized by the ESGR and LTC Burgett.

Director Mohr Signs Statement of Support Program

Tue, 26 Dec 2017 14:28:43 GMT

The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction’s (DRC) Director, Gary Mohr, signed a Corporate Statement of Support for the Guard and Reserve and December 19, 2017, at the department’s Managing Officers’ meeting. In addition, the Managing Officers of all of Ohio 27 prisons and 6 Adult Parole Authority Regions signed a Statement of Support for their individual areas. This signifies the importance DRC places on supporting our employees who serve in the Guard and Reserve.

“Those who serve our country through the Armed Forces have sacrificed more than many of us can imagine, “Director Mohr shared. “Active duty and military veterans make great civil servants, and DRC has benefited greatly from them joining our family. It is an honor for me to sign the Corporate Statement of Support and I look forward to the continued positive impact this has on our agency going forward.”

The Statement of Support confirms The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, joins other employers in pledging:

We fully recognize, honor, and comply with the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act.

We will provide our managers and supervisors with the tools they need to effectively manage employees who serve in the Guard and Reserve.

We appreciate the values, leadership, and unique skills Service members bring to the workforce and will encourage opportunities to hire Guardsmen, Reservists, and Veterans.

We will continually recognize and support our country’s Service members and their families, in peace, in crises, and in war.

The Statement of Support Program is the cornerstone of ESGR’s effort to gain and maintain employer support for the Guard and Reserve. The intent of the program is to increase employer support by encouraging employers to act as advocates for employee participation in the military. Supportive employers are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the Nation’s Guard and Reserve units.

The first Statement of Support was signed December 13, 1972, in the Office of the Secretary of Defense by the Chairman of the Board of General Motors. President Richard Nixon was the first President to sign a Statement of Support, and in 2005 every Federal Cabinet Secretary and all Federal agencies signed a Statement of Support to signify their continuing efforts to be model employers. Since its inception, hundreds of thousands of employers have signed Statements of Support, pledging their support to Guard and Reserve employees.

Veterans Day Banquet at RiCI

Tue, 12 Dec 2017 13:03:53 GMT

In recognition of the 242^nd birthday of the United States Marines Corp and Veterans Day, a large group of RiCI offenders celebrated with a banquet, highlighting the five military branches. Offenders in attendance were educated on the history of the Veterans Day. A host of offenders were commended for their service to our country, as many attendees were US Veterans. The ceremony was coordinated by the SMART program. The SMART program (Structured Military Advanced Readiness Training) was established at RiCI in 2015 as an extension of the IVA (Incarcerated Veterans of America). The group consists of men who’ve made a daily commitment towards living a disciplined, principled, structured lifestyle. During the course of the festivities, the IVA conducted an impressive drill team routine. Four of the military branches of government were well represented by RiCI offenders attending the banquet.

Multiple speakers in attendance spoke during the banquet about taking pride in past service. Those speakers included Air National Guard Nick Alexander, Retired US Marine Ryan Legg, RiCI Captain Robert Benedict and RiCI Officer James Jamerson. Officer Jamerson has retired from the US Army and has been awarded with two Purple heart awards during his service. The veterans were all acknowledged by the keynote speakers and the reminded that being a Veteran can never be taken away from them. Former military service wasn’t required to attend the banquet, however those attending have dedicating themselves to live their lives according to a military based life-style and maintain a positive disciplinary record while incarcerated.

Toledo Correctional Institution presented ESGR Above and Beyond Award

Wed, 06 Dec 2017 15:39:56 GMT

Toledo Correctional Institution (ToCI) Warden John Coleman accepted the Above and Beyond Award from Mr. Robert Lucas, representing Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR). The staff, at all levels, were recognized for their support of fellow employees serving in the Guard and Reserve. The institution was nominated by Officer William Keith, who proudly serves in the National Guard.

“Supportive employers like ToCI are vital to the success of our mission and the defense of this nation,” Mr. Lucas said. “Our Guard and Reserve members could not perform their military duty without knowing their civilian employers support them 100 percent.”

The Above and Beyond award recognizes employers that go above and beyond the legal requirements of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act. The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (DRC) has received this honor at several of its facilities.

“We know their absence in the workplace impacts everyone, staff at Toledo have changed schedules and covered shifts to accommodate our military men and women,” Mr. Lucas said.

ToCI is a high security institution in Lucas County. The prison opened in 2000 and currently employs more than 400 correctional officers and staff. For more information on ToCI is available at http://www.drc.ohio.gov/toci.

RICI Offenders participate in 5K for Wounded Warriors Project

Fri, 03 Nov 2017 15:51:17 GMT

A number of RiCI offenders and staff took part in a 5K run/walk to benefit the Wounded Warriors Project (WWP). The fundraiser was made possible through the Combined Charitable Campaign.

RiCI Corrections Officer James Jamerson addressed the participants at the conclusion of the event. The nineteen year ODRC employee discussed the origins and mission of the Wounded Warriors Project. As a current member of the WWP, C.O. Jamerson shared his passion for helping other veterans. He also expounded on the mission of the organization; to honor and empower wounded military veterans by making connections to peers, programming, and communities, while encouraging those served to live life to the fullest.

C.O. Jamerson retired from the US Army in 2010 (29 years of service) as a Sergeant/Major. While serving our Country in Iraq, C.O. Jamerson was wounded during Operation Phantom Fury and was recognized for his commitment with two Purple heart awards for his contributions. The Purple Heart is one of the most recognized and respected medals awarded to members of the U.S. Armed Forces. It is also the nation’s oldest military award. The staff at RiCI are grateful for his service and sharing his story with the 5K participants.

DRC Military Peer Support Overseas

Thu, 21 Sep 2017 13:43:00 GMT

A primary mission of the DRC Military Peer Support Unit is to provide support and assistance to our DRC military employees and their families as our employees serve our great Nation. Commonly, while an employee is deployed, support is limited to email communication. However, one member of the DRC Military Peer Support Unit has been providing support in person while overseas. Michael Burgett was working as a parole officer in the Akron region until he was deployed and assumed his duties as LTC Michael Burgett, Army National Guard with the 371 Special Troops Battalion. While overseas, LTC Burgett received a list of other deployed DRC employees. In addition to his military duties, LTC Burgett made it his mission to locate our DRC employees and if possible, connect with them in person. Not an easy task as one could imagine. However, LTC Burgett has been able to personally meet with two DRC employees. His efforts are a true testament to his dedication to our Country and to our DRC family! Let us never forget the men and women serving our country while we are safe at home.

(LTC Michael Burgett with 1Lt Stefan DelValle, Correction Officer at LECI and CW4 Michael Osborne, OSC IT

ESGR Honors DRC with the Pro Patria Award

Mon, 28 Aug 2017 11:15:40 GMT

The Ohio Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) honored The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction with Pro Patria Award. This award is presented annual by the ESGR State Committee to one small, one large, and one public sector employer in the state. Recipients of the award have demonstrated the greatest support to Guard and Reserve members. In addition to the receiving this award, it was announced that the department is a 2017 nominee for the Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award. This is the highest recognition given by the U.S. Government to employers for their outstanding support of employees serving in the Guard and Reserve.