New sentencing laws add costs for Hamilton County

Gov. John Kasich signed into law Wednesday criminal sentencing reforms that could release thousands of non-violent prisoners from the expensive prison system - and keep them out with drug rehabilitation and other programs.

But it may also bring a lot of headaches - and some resentment - to Hamilton County officials who believe the law means more mandated bureaucracy they will now have to pay for at a time when county government is struggling with a reduced budget and the possibility of additional layoffs among county workers.

"Today has been kind of a double whammy," Hamilton County Court Administrator Mike Walton said Wednesday.  Read more...

Fewer freed inmates returning to prison

The rate of released offenders returned to prison is the lowest it has been in 11 years, the director of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction said yesterday.

Last year, 34 percent of inmates returned to prison for a parole or probation violation or a new felony conviction, down from 36 percent in 2009, said Director Gary Mohr.

Last year's recidivism rate is the lowest since 1997, when it was also 34 percent.

The national recidivism rate averages about 50 percent, the federal Bureau of Justice Statistics says.  Read more...