Welcome to the Corrections Center of Northwest Ohio
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
AUGUST 12, 2010
Housing is a concern for 65 percent of the offenders incarcerated at the Corrections Center of Northwest Ohio following a one-day survey conducted by volunteers and staff.
During the one-day housing survey held July 31, 333 out of a potential 504 inmates were surveyed or 66 percent. Special programs, medical physicals and court appearances hampered efforts to survey all offenders.
CCNO Executive Director Jim Dennis said, “We believe there is a correlation between homelessness, less effective housing and no permanent housing and returning to jail. Stable housing is an important part of successful re-entry. Employment opportunities are few and far between in northwest Ohio but for ex-offenders it’s grim. We are going to spent some time and effort looking at housing.”
The majority of offenders were from Lucas County (71 percent) followed by Defiance, Henry, Fulton and Williams counties. Some 26 inmates listed “other” on the survey form, indicating they were planning to return to another county (Paulding), state (Indiana, Michigan, Tennessee, Texas) or Mexico.
Of the 333 inmates surveyed, 28 or 8 percent indicated they were actually homeless. Others indicted that they would be returning to live with a parent, relative, friend, shelter or other resource as they had no place of their own to stay. But those same offenders indicated they would accept assistance in finding housing if made available.
Some offenders will not admit that they are homeless as it is an embarrassment or intrusion on their privacy, said Mr. Dennis. In addition, he said, those who indicated they plan to live with a parent, relative or friend are likely not to have a place of their own to stay.
The survey included 256 males and 77 females with ages ranging from 18 to 74.
Mr. Dennis said the survey was conducted to help get a better perspective of the housing needs of offenders prior to their release. He said it is his hope that CCNO will receive assistance from members of the newly formed Re-Entry Coalition of Northwest Ohio to provide information and possible housing prior to offenders being released so that they don’t return to the streets and get re-arrested.
Mr. Dennis gave special thanks to those volunteers who helped with the completion of the survey. He said volunteers are an essential part of CCNO and help with special projects, such as the housing survey, in addition to conducting religious and self-help services.
This site was updated on June 02, 2011