Judicial officers from courts across the state recently had the opportunity through the Supreme Court of Ohio to explore the partnership between courts and corrections while experiencing life in both historic and modern-day prisons.

During the Crime and Punishment program organized by the Judicial College, 37 judges and magistrates met in Mansfield where they began their day by reflecting on the history of the state’s penal system within the confines of the historic Ohio State Reformatory.

There, participants discussed the changes in Ohio correctional history leading up to a tour of the facility that began housing offenders in 1896. Originally a reformatory for young offenders, the institution placed education and religion at the core of its mission. Over time, however, it shifted into an adult prison, known for its harsh conditions and punitive approach. The Ohio State Reformatory closed its doors in 1990 and was later used as the setting for the film The Shawshank Redemption.

Down the road from the former reformatory is an active, close security prison – Mansfield Correctional Institution (ManCI). Inside its walls is a campus complete with a school, doctor’s office, recreation center, mental health clinic, housing units, and workspaces. Each of its inhabitants entered the facility by the sentence of a judge after being convicted of a felony crime. Their visit to ManCI gave judges and magistrates an opportunity to speak with those incarcerated about life in prison and to get a glimpse of their daily routines.

“This was really incredible. I learned and saw much more than I expected,” said Magistrate Leslie Wolfe of Cleveland Municipal Court.

During their tour, judicial officers spoke with prison staff, hearing about the successes and challenges of their jobs. Ohio leads the country in prison education programs, and at ManCI, students can receive their GED and even a bachelor’s degree. Offenders can also gain work experience while incarcerated through ManCI’s box manufacturing program or other prison jobs. Due to resource limitations, some jobs are reserved for offenders nearing their release dates to better prepare them for reintegration.

While walking the prison grounds, judges and magistrates also interacted with offenders who showed them their living spaces, shared their job duties in the dog adoption program, and answered questions about their experiences while incarcerated.

Hearing from prison staff members and those incarcerated gave Judge Anthony D’Apolito of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court the confidence to back his decisions when sending defendants to prison.

“I never put anybody into prison lightheartedly,” he explained.  “Now I’m pretty confident that I’m serving two purposes.”

Those purposes are punishment and rehabilitation.

“The punishment is that they have lost their liberties,” Magistrate Wolfe said.

The rehabilitation was on display at ManCI as visitors saw the education and programming available to offenders.

“I feel very good that I’m not just giving up on them,” Judge D’Apolito said.

“You’re giving them an opportunity,” Magistrate Wolfe added.