Criminal Sentencing Primer

Criminal Sentencing Primer Are you confused by the terms and actions used during the criminal sentencing process?   If so,  mark your calendar!  On Wednesday, August 26 the LEAF group of Mary Queen of Peace Parish is hosting members of the ODRC and the Adult Parole Authority for an informal discussion and help session on understanding […]

Ohio Ex-Offender Reentry Coalition

Ohio Ex-Offender Reentry Coalition Ex-Offender reentry issues are a topic not just for families of the incarcerated.  It is something in which every citizen should take an interest.   In 2014 over 21,000 inmates completed their time and were released to Ohio towns and cities.  It just makes sense we want this transition back to productive […]

New Info on the Federal System

New Info on the Federal System   At a recent LEAF meeting a woman approached and said the LEAF website has lots of good information, but nothing for a family with a loved one in the Federal System.   She was right!   With the help of another LEAF family member dealing with the Federal system, (and […]

Prison Report Cards

Prison Report Cards   For families it’s often hard to get good information about the conditions within the facility their loved one is staying.  Did you know there is a prison report card issued for each of Ohio State prisons?   That’s right, the nonpartisan Correctional Institution Inspection Committee (CIIC) provides objective, information about Ohio’s prisons […]

Ohio HB 56 Targets Felon Hiring Bias

Ohio HB 56 Targets Felon Hiring Bias   Ohio’s House Bill 56 targets felon hiring bias during the job application process. The bipartisan legislation “bans the box” by making it illegal to ask applicants to identify their criminal record when initially completing an employment application. “Ban the Box” legislation, as it is called,  has been […]

A Mother’s HOPE

A Mother’s HOPE   A wonderful article of a mother’s hope and a strong motivation to help others.   This article first appeared in the online version of the Trussville Tribune,  May 6, 2015 By June Mathews As moms all over America look forward to celebrating Mother’s Day this coming Sunday, many are planning to gather […]

New Reentry Resource Guides

New Reentry Resource Guides   Reentry is one of the largest challenges facing society and an inmate upon release. Reintegrating into society after a decade or even a year is difficult. To aid in the transition, ODRC has published a M.U.S.C.L.E (Make Use of Services Can Lead to Empowerment) guide for every county in Ohio. While […]

ODRC Director Visits LEAF Meeting

 ODRC Director Visits LEAF Meeting   This past Thursday Todd Ishee, Northeast Regional Director for the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections (ODRC) took time away from work and his family to talk with our families in Cleveland eastside LEAF group.   He inspired hope as he spoke of changes and initiates of the ODRC as it takes more interest in families.  […]

Prison Commissary Order Forms

Prison Commissary Order Forms   When a loved one goes to prison families have many questions and they usually start or end with these three: What do prisons actually provide? What’s available in the prison commissary? Why is my loved one’s prison commissary account always out of money? The answer to the first question is […]

Welcome New LEAF Groups

Welcome New LEAF Groups It’s great seeing new LEAF groups springing up across the area. We now have five active groups with more anticipated to start soon. Now in addition to our Cleveland East and Cleveland West  groups, we are pleased to have groups in: Central Cleveland Old Brooklyn Hudson   Interested in having a […]