Columbus, OH – The Buckeye Institute testified before the Ohio Senate Community Revitalization Committee on Tuesday, highlighting the significance of the policies outlined in Ohio House Bill 50 aimed at aiding the reintegration of formerly incarcerated individuals into society while ensuring community safety.
During the testimony, Greg R. Lawson, a research fellow at The Buckeye Institute, emphasized the importance of the bill in addressing recidivism challenges. Lawson praised the bill for introducing a certificate of qualification for housing (CQH) that will assist in stabilizing housing for formerly incarcerated individuals and easing their transition back into society. He stated, "Ohio House Bill 50 'ameliorates these risks by creating a certificate of qualification for housing, or CQH, that will help stabilize housing and mitigate myriad adverse issues that can make full re-entry into society difficult.'"
Lawson also emphasized the importance of maintaining public safety standards within the reintegration process, stating, "To be clear, a CQH is not a free pass for bad actors. Public safety remains paramount, and CQH recipients must be thoroughly vetted."
The CQH program, modeled after Ohio's successful certificates of qualification for employment, aims to provide stability in housing for newly released individuals by demonstrating to landlords that they can be trusted with a lease or rental agreement. The program also includes liability coverage for landlords, ensuring a balance between assisting the reintegration process and upholding public safety standards.
The Buckeye Institute's support for smart criminal justice reforms that promote public safety while aiding the reintegration of formerly incarcerated individuals was reiterated during the testimony. Lawson commended lawmakers for recognizing the challenges faced by those re-entering society and for seeking ways to make the transition smoother by facilitating stable housing and employment opportunities.
In conclusion, Greg R. Lawson expressed gratitude for the opportunity to testify and emphasized the importance of policies like the one outlined in Ohio House Bill 50 in safely assisting formerly incarcerated individuals in their reintegration process, ultimately contributing to a safer and more supportive community.