Zanesville Jail starts programs to help inmates

ZANESVILLE, Ohio- Often time men and women leaving jail don’t have anywhere to go once they’re released and end up right back in custody. Now the Zanesville Police Department is working to break the cycle.

Staff at the Zanesville Police Department are on a mission to ensure all inmates leaving the city jail are prepared for life once they walk out the doors. Michelle Duke, the Jail Administrator, put together two programs to help the inmates. The first program provides clothing for the inmates as they leave the jail. Many of the people in custody don’t have family or friends to bring them clothing before leaving.

“We have a group, comes in from one of our local churches, called Journey to Freedom. And I spoke to them. I said, ‘Do you think you could help us out?’ because a lot of inmates get arrested in the summer months and then what happens is they get released in the winter time,” said Duke. “And they come in here in pajamas, boxer shorts, and tank tops and you obviously can’t release somebody, especially with the sub-degree, below zero temperatures outside.”

The second program focuses on providing the inmates with resources to help them stay out of trouble once they’ve been released. Duke and Zanesville Officers put a resource wall together in the visitors area. The inmates or their visitors can use the information to help the prisoner on track.

“Our hope is that maybe one inmate will stop and pick up a piece of information whether it be a list of all the businesses that hire inmates with a criminal record or a NA meeting. Place to go get a free meal for the day. All of that information is going to be on the wall,” said Duke.

Duke said Rolling Plains Church and Norval Park Church of Christ have both donated clothes to the program. If you would like to donate or provide resources you can contact the city jail.