Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Senator Turner Supports Call for Sentencing Reforms

Changes would cut costs and focus resources on the most serious offenders

ColumbusState Senator Nina Turner (D-Cleveland) spoke out in support of sentencing reforms today at a bipartisan news conference sponsored by the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio. Also participating in the news conference was State Senator Bill Seitz (R-Green Township), the sponsor of Senate Bill 22.

“I applaud the ACLU and Senator Seitz for calling attention to this issue,” said Senator Turner. “Enacting sentencing reforms will allow us to concentrate our scarce resources on the worst and most dangerous offenders as a more cost effective way to promote public safety.”

Senate Bill 22 would increase the use of community based corrections and earned credit programs while also eliminating the sentencing disparity between powder and crack cocaine. Senator Turner voted for SB 22 when the bill passed the Senate Criminal Justice committee in June, 2009. The legislation has not been brought up for a vote yet by the full Senate.

“These changes would give low level non-violent offenders a greater opportunity for rehabilitation so they can become a positive and productive member of society,” said Senator Turner. “Sentencing reforms represent a win-win for the citizens of Ohio by lowering costs and reducing the number of repeat offenders.”

According to the ACLU, the State of Ohio spends an average of $66.31 per day to incarcerate an inmate compared to $3.42 per day to supervise someone on probation. Yet, more low level offenders are being locked up in Ohio’s overcrowded prison system when they could be placed in community based corrections programs.

The Caucus


Minority Leader Eric H. Kearney - Cincinnati - 9th District
Assistant Minority Leader Joe Schiavoni - Canfield - 33rd District
Minority Whip Nina Turner - Cleveland - 25th District
Assistant Minority Whip Edna Brown - Toledo - 11th District
Senator Tom Sawyer - Akron - 28th District
Senator Charleta B. Tavares - Columbus - 15th District
Senator Shirley Smith - Cleveland - 21st District
Senator Michael J. Skindell - Cleveland - 23rd District
Senator Lou Gentile - Steubenville - 30th District
Senator Capri S. Cafaro - Hubbard - 32nd District

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