Update on OACDL Prisoner Release Efforts – Urgent Help Needed
I’m writing to update you on the OACDL efforts toward prisoner release AND to request help.
In my last email on this topic, I explained OACDL is working with the Ohio Public Defender (OPD) to seek judicial release for inmates. We reached out to the attorneys of record for all the inmates on our list and provided them with resources to seek judicial release. We now have a list of inmates whose attorneys either did not respond or declined to seek judicial release.
We need volunteers to seek judicial release for the inmates on that list (if the inmate wants judicial release). The inmates’ cases are in the following counties: Allen, Butler, Summit, Tuscarawas, Union. If you practice in one or more of those counties and are willing to help with this project, please sign-up today using this link: JUDICIAL RELEASE VOLUNTEER. We will provide you with the resources for seeking judicial release, including instructions for contacting the inmates.
We also sent another letter to Governor DeWine yesterday. In the letter, we provided an update on our judicial release efforts. In light of the significant increase in inmates who have tested positive for COVID-19, we urged the Governor to expeditiously implement executive powers to release inmates and expressed our opinion he has a moral obligation to do so. A copy of that letter is attached.
Covid 19 Letter To Gov De Wine Re Executive Action To Reduce Prison Population 4 27 20
Shawn Dominy
President, OACDL