Category: Advocacy

Advocacy as it relates to prison life is doing for others what they can’t do for themselves. Prison advocacy or the action of advocating is getting the same help, benefits, kindness, care or attention for someone else that you would want for yourself.

Supporting the Second Chance Act

Supporting the Second Chance Act Supporting the Second Chance Act is something every LEAF Family needs to consider. We generally try to steer clear of politics, but sometimes I bend the rules and this is one of those cases. The Second Chance Act was enacted in 2008 and provided funds to organizations assisting with the […]

Sex-Offender Registry Reform

Sex-Offender Registry Reform   Yesterday’s Cleveland.com posted an editorial calling for reform of Ohio’s Sex-Offender Registry.   It’s an excellent article briefly explaining the history of the registry and why it needs reform.   The registry is a good example of a well intentioned law with unintended consequences.   Nobody disagrees with the basic premise behind the registry, […]

ACLU Wants “Pay-to-Stay” Fees Eliminated

As reported in the November 9, 2015  “myDayton Daily News“   By Laura A. Bischoff – Columbus bureau   Columbus — Counties across the state charge jail inmates “pay-to-stay” fees that pile on debt and unfairly tether low-income people to the criminal justice system for years, according to a new report from the ACLU of […]

Obama on Criminal Justice Reform

The Marshall Project and President Obama in a White House Conversation on Criminal Justice Reform   Round table discussion to be live-streamed at The Marshall Project and Yahoo On October 22, Bill Keller, Editor-in-Chief of The Marshall Project, will moderate a conversation on criminal justice reform featuring President Barack Obama and two law enforcement leaders. […]

A Daily Prayer for Justice and Mercy

A Daily Prayer for Justice and Mercy   Jesus, united with the Father and the Holy Spirit, give us your compassion for those in prison. Mend in mercy the broken in mind and memory. Soften the hard of heart, the captives of anger. Free the innocent; parole the trustworthy. Awaken the repentance that restores hope. […]

Pictures and Social Justice

Pictures and Social Justice   I always like it when LEAF members want to share information with the group.  Sharing and helping each other through these times is what we’re about! This information was provided by Leonita. Here are two pieces on your pictures of impacts of incarceration and social justice. First the pictures…even though this […]

Making Northeast Ohio Communities Safer

This invitation has been well circulated, but just in case you missed it!   2015 Summit on Making Northeast Ohio Communities Safer   On behalf of the Northeast Region of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, I’d like to extend an invitation to you to attend the 2015 Summit on Making Northeast Ohio Communities […]

Director Wants Prison Compassion

Director Wants More Compassion in the Prison System   As reported in the August 14, Columbus Dispatch,  Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections’ Director Gary Mohr has once again displayed his family friendly views by asking officials for more prison compassion in dealing with offenders caught up in the State’s justice system. In a 41-minute […]

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 […]

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 […]