How “Smiling” Impacted Ohio’s Correction Approach
Tags: Corrections, Rehabilitation, Prison

Corrections and smiling — two words that very few individuals would be willing to associate with one another. However, for the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (ODRC), they are two words that have changed everything.

When it comes to incarceration, it can be tempting to solely focus on “keeping a lid on things” — to just focus on avoiding as many issues as possible. However, for Gary Mohr (director of the ODRC), he believes “we must invest in people, not bricks and mortar” in an effort to return people back to society better than prior to their incarceration.

Director Mohr knows the important role his employees play in making Ohio communities safer. And the importance of those employees is greater than ever before as Ohio reaches record numbers of incarceration.

When Mohr first began his career in the ODRC as a teacher’s aide at Marion Correctional over 40 years ago, the correction’s landscape was vastly different than it is today. Over the last four decades in Ohio corrections alone:

· Population has increased from 8,300 to over 51,000.

· The state has increased from seven prisons to 27.

· The female population has gone from 290 to over 4,100.

Men at Chillicothe Correctional take part in “Walk for the Cure” to raise money for cancer research. (PHOTO: Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction)

With approximately a quarter of Ohio government workers currently being employed by the ODRC, Mohr knows the impact his department can have on communities around Ohio. That is why Mohr has spent his last five years as director focusing on preparing offenders for life after prison. It has been a vision that has been embraced by his staff and, despite increasing incarceration numbers, has resulted in a statewide recidivism rate nearly half that of the national average.

“The commitment and professionalism of our DRC staff is evident everywhere we turn,” Mohr explained. “This is evidenced from our recidivism rate that requires involvement of every element of our system — community and prison, security, program and service delivery personnel — to the entire system’s effort to be fully accredited to the monumental accomplishment of achieving 100% compliance with the Prison Rape Elimination Act for every site that has been assessed.”

As impressive as the numbers can be when it comes to Ohio’s success, it is about more than just that.

“Frankly, I believe people should have the chance to smile every now and then,” said Mohr.

It’s a simple idea, really. An idea that is exemplified by the ODRC’s (also simple) mission statement — “reduce recidivism among those we touch”. Both simple, yet so impacting and ultimately successful.

For the ODRC and Mohr, it’s about being proactive. During the last five years, the ODRC has focused on doing just that — reduce recidivism among those they touch. They have done so by creating reintegration units that are focused on preparing men and women for a successful reentry into society and launching Medicaid coverage for those being released from prison. In addition, they are increasing family engagement with incarcerated offenders and decreasing phone rates for offenders to talk with their loved ones.

Men at Lorain Correctional take part in the culinary reentry program “In 2 Work”. (PHOTO: Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction)

And when it comes to mental health and addiction, Director Mohr has been at the forefront of efforts to bring those incarcerated individuals the help they need. One of the ways he has done so is by providing communities with more resources to treat those in need — including providing a $58 million increase in funding for community initiatives.

“Our ODRC staff carry out their duties in a way other systems seek to replicate and they do it in a way that should make every Ohioan proud and appreciative of their service,” Mohr added with a smile.

In an effort to keep Ohio communities safer, Director Mohr and the ODRC have put forth an effort to help those incarcerated transition from prison to community. Through the dedication and hard work of those employed throughout the department, Ohio has become a national leader in the corrections discussion.

It’s crazy to think something as simplistic as “smiling” could change the culture and mindset of a correctional department, but that’s exactly what happened.

— — — — —

Visit the ODRC online.

Stay connected with the ODRC on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.