In Toledo to talk about Ohio sentencing policies and practices

I am pleased and honored to be in Toledo tonight and tomorrow to participate in a terrific symposium sponsored by the University of Toledo Law Review titled “Ohio’s Sentencing Policies and Practices, Costs and Consequences.” This webpage provides some backstory:

Ohio has more than 50,000 inmates confined in more than thirty penal institutions.  The average cost per inmate year is more than $25,000.  Even in robust economic times asking whether the budgetary impact is bearable would be worthwhile.  In times of economic distress and unprecedented scarcity of fiscal resources, it is imperative to ask whether Ohio’s taxpayers can continue indefinitely to bear the costs and consequences of incarceration of so many inmates — especially those who have committed non-violent offenses and are demonstrably low-risk.  The 2011 Toledo Law Review Symposium will address this and related questions, including what alternatives may exist to provide safety to Ohio’s citizens while making more resources available for other crucial public needs.

A bunch of folks have worked to put together an amazing program with all sorts of amazing speakers, and I expect to learn a lot throughout the day.  Indeed, I have already learned a lot from this terrific and timely sentencing reform resource list assembled by the Toledo folks.

Some recent and older related posts:

• Ohio on path to turning to treatment over prison for non-violent drug offenders
• Incoming Ohio Governor Kasich having to face over-crowded prisons and tight budgets
• “Prison-reform bills would save money, improve public safety”
• ACLU of Ohio produces major report on prison growth and problems
• “Ohio lawmakers mull sweeping reform to cut prison populations”
• An Ohio example of how the prison economy budget can mix up the usual political rhetoric