Muskingum County Prosecutor Opposes Ohio Senate Bill That Could Reduce Criminal Penalties

MUSKINGUM COUNTY, Ohio- The Ohio Senate is considering some changes to the criminal justice system that will aim to lessen crime penalties and more.

The proposal of the Senate Bill 288 consists of 1800 pages mainly focusing on the reduction of crime penalties and granting of judicial power. This can possibly reduce up to 15 percent of someone’s sentence.

The Muskingum County prosecuting attorney, Ron Welch, stated why he opposes the bill and the effects it has on public safety, and victim’s rights.

“A good example is gross sexual imposition which is a crime that involves sexual contact with somebody that’s unwanted or underage. This particular bill would allow those individuals to be eligible for being released from prison earlier then what they would be currently,” Welch stated. “Our view on that is that the cost that’s being put out as a savings by the proponents of this bill doesn’t weigh the risk of public safety.”

Welch said the bill saves $42.8 million but if passed by Legislators, unelected employees of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections will determine the release of prisoners.

Welch said this is a problem because it takes away their role in the judicial branch.

“Under the new bill the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections or ODRC will be able to have someone make a recommendation and it will be presumed that the person would get judicial release unless the state shows clearing and convincing evidence that the person shouldn’t get out,” Welch stated. “The people that will be making those recommendations are employees of ODRC who are not held accountable through citizens by election like you would with your judges or your prosecutors.”

Currently the bill is still in debate with the Ohio Senate as they plan to send it along to the Ohio Legislature for voting.