Graphic of the week

In September, HPIO released a policy brief that explores the impact of pretrial incarceration and the money bail system on the health, safety and well-being of Ohioans and their communities. It is the latest in a series of HPIO publications on the connections between criminal justice and health.

Analysis from 2019 found the number of Ohioans incarcerated pretrial has increased since 2016, and 61% of people in local jails have not been convicted of a crime (outlined in graphic above).

The issue of how bail is determined in now before Ohio voters, who next week will decide on Issue 1. If passed, the issue would add language to the Ohio Constitution requiring Ohio courts to consider public safety when setting bail amounts, including the seriousness of the offense, a person’s criminal record, the likelihood a person will return to court and any other factor that the Ohio General Assembly may prescribe.

HPIO created an online resource page to make information on Ohio Issue 1 easily accessible. The resource page includes background on the initiative, information on the connections between criminal justice and health, research and analysis of Issue 1 and media coverage of the issue. The page also includes position statements from both proponents and opponents of the initiative.