There are thousands of Old-Law Prisoners (who were incarcerated before 1996) stuck in Ohio prisons, because of the "Truth in Sentencing Law" that was passed in Ohio in 1996. Basically, what the "Truth in Sentencing Law" did was take away all incentive for the inmate to better him or herself, because the passing of this new law essentially added 150 days per year to the inmate's sentence.

Before the law was passed in 1996, inmates could earn 150 days of "Good Time" for good behavior. For example, an Old-Law Prisoner sentenced to 40 years (14,600 days) could earn 16 years (150 days per year=6,000 days) of good behavior time resulting in only being incarcerated for 23 years (8,600 days). Passing the Truth in Sentencing Law was to supposedly ease the public’s mind in reassuring that the sentenced offenderwould serve-out his or her entire sentence. While a prisoner who committed a crime after 1996 is sentenced to 8 years flat-time, the Old-Law Prisoner is still incarcerated serving a 40 year sentence for the exact same crime!

The Old-Law Prisoner still appears before the Ohio Parole Board for release consideration, yet they are repeatedly being denied parole based upon the "Nature of the Crime," without regards to program accomplishments, first-time offenses, or good institutional adjustment. Their cases are flopped (continued until a later hearing date) for more than 5 years, to receive another 5 year flop. The nature of the crime is the same on day 1 as it will be on day 101 or 10,001; therefore, the nature of the crime should not be the justification role for release consideration.

Many Old-Law Prisoners have worked hard to rehabilitate themselves, but the Parole Board does not look at their inside record, or their accomplishments. Because of this, prisons are becoming overcrowded; if 3,300 of the eligible Old-Law Prisoners were released, that would save the State of Ohio over $14 million annually!

Please help stop this unfairness towards Old-Law Prisoners and help demand that new mandates be placed upon the Ohio Parole Board which will provide meaningful parole opportunities for "deserving" prisoners who are eligible for release.

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