/justice-matters Justice matters is a statewide reporting project including WKSU, Ideastream Public Media, ĐÇżŐÎŢĎŢ´«Ă˝, WOUB, WYSO, WVXU and the Collaborative NewsLab @ Kent State University. Have something you'd like to share with us on this? Email us at justicematters@wksu.org. en-US Copyright Tue, 13 Sep 2022 20:49:53 GMT /politics-government/2022-09-13/ohios-expedited-pardons-provide-a-quicker-path-to-a-fresh-start The program, introduced just before the coronavirus pandemic, provides ex-offenders who qualify a speedier path to clearing their records. The standard process is overwhelmed by the number of applicants. Tue, 13 Sep 2022 20:49:53 GMT /politics-government/2022-09-13/ohios-expedited-pardons-provide-a-quicker-path-to-a-fresh-start Kabir Bhatia /politics-government/2022-09-13/for-one-canton-native-a-governors-pardon-helps-write-a-new-narrative Gov. Mike DeWine launched the Expedited Pardon Process three years ago. With the help of law schools and streamlined screening, it’s designed to shave years off the normal pardon process. The bar to qualify is high, but for those who do, it offers a speedier path to a new start. Tue, 13 Sep 2022 10:23:09 GMT /politics-government/2022-09-13/for-one-canton-native-a-governors-pardon-helps-write-a-new-narrative M.L. Schultze /news/2021-10-12/shotspotter-generates-thousands-of-alerts-in-dayton-but-officers-find-few-crimes The gunshot-detection microphones used by the Dayton Police Department dispatched officers to West Dayton over 2,200 times over the last two years. Tue, 12 Oct 2021 12:14:36 GMT /news/2021-10-12/shotspotter-generates-thousands-of-alerts-in-dayton-but-officers-find-few-crimes Mawa Iqbal /ideastream/2021-10-04/for-ohioans-who-committed-crimes-before-july-1996-chance-of-parole-is-slim “Old law inmates,” or those who committed their crimes before Ohio changed the parole board system in 1996, have little success in their parole board hearings. Mon, 04 Oct 2021 09:00:00 GMT /ideastream/2021-10-04/for-ohioans-who-committed-crimes-before-july-1996-chance-of-parole-is-slim Matthew Richmond /2021-08-26/poetic-reentry-from-a-rooftop-a-beacon-of-light Cardell Belfoure had been writing poetry for several years before joining the ID13 Prison Literacy Project while incarcerated at Grafton Correctional Institution in Grafton, Ohio. Thu, 26 Aug 2021 10:40:46 GMT /2021-08-26/poetic-reentry-from-a-rooftop-a-beacon-of-light Justin Glanville /news/2021-08-18/paying-the-price-for-a-lifetime-sanctions-create-roadblocks-for-formerly-convicted-ohioans Nearly 1 million residents of the state have felony convictions. For our Justice Matters series, we speak with some of them who have been living with the consequences, while we identify some calls for change. Wed, 18 Aug 2021 10:58:34 GMT /news/2021-08-18/paying-the-price-for-a-lifetime-sanctions-create-roadblocks-for-formerly-convicted-ohioans Foluke Omosun /politics/2021-08-10/ohio-lawmakers-who-want-sentencing-reform-also-increase-penalties-for-crime When it comes to reforming Ohio's criminal justice system, changing the laws tends to start at the state-level. But while lawmakers look at shifting sentencing from prison to treatment, there's also an urge by officials to increase penalties, resulting in what can be a contrasting approach to reform. Tue, 10 Aug 2021 11:00:15 GMT /politics/2021-08-10/ohio-lawmakers-who-want-sentencing-reform-also-increase-penalties-for-crime Andy Chow /news/2021-07-29/is-there-finally-some-agreement-on-the-need-for-bail-reform-in-ohio Although bipartisanship isn't seen frequently these days, there seems to be some agreement from both sides of the aisle on the need to reform bail in Ohio. Thu, 29 Jul 2021 10:22:55 GMT /news/2021-07-29/is-there-finally-some-agreement-on-the-need-for-bail-reform-in-ohio Foluke Omosun /news/2021-07-28/in-ohio-videos-are-public-records-but-police-refuse-to-release-anyway Over the past few years, police departments across the country have grappled with what to do when a video in their possession captures the use of deadly force by a police officer. Wed, 28 Jul 2021 10:26:14 GMT /news/2021-07-28/in-ohio-videos-are-public-records-but-police-refuse-to-release-anyway Matthew Richmond /news/2021-07-22/advocates-face-challenges-in-reforming-ohios-sentencing-laws Even with bipartisan support to reduce Ohio's prison population, state lawmakers are increasing the number of felonies and penalties defendants face. Thu, 22 Jul 2021 10:31:58 GMT /news/2021-07-22/advocates-face-challenges-in-reforming-ohios-sentencing-laws Nahla Bendefaa