We have also held trade shows to demonstrate the quality and variety of prison-made products. We have cut the lag in delivery schedules and built in more quality controls. We guarantee the work and will make repairs as long as a year after delivery. While some inmates are spending their days on OPI products, another 1,000 inmates are spending time doing community service. Since this initiative started in 1991, inmates have contributed more than 1 million hours of service to Ohio communities.
Most offenders accomplish the service behind prison walls.
Those who have reached a supervision level where they can work in the community under the observation of DRC staff return to the confines of prison at the end of the day. Another 19,853 inmates are involved in work assignments inside prisons to help hold down the expense of operating the facilities. These inmates prepare meals, make repairs, do cleaning and office work. More than 900 inmates work on prison farms raising crops and animals to keep the costs of feeding prisoners to a minimum. We have staff who focus on developing even more work for inmates.