Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction Post Release Control

Post-release control is a period of supervision by the Adult Parole Authority following release from imprisonment. Only offenders sentenced to prison for a crime occurring on or after July 1, 1996 can be placed on post-release control. Every sentence to a term of imprisonment for a crime occurring after this date must include the requirement that the offender be subject to a period of post-release control. For some offenders, the Ohio Revised Code mandates post-release control. For others, the Ohio Revised Code specifies that post release control is discretionary but based upon standards established by the Department of Rehabilitation and Correction. A chart is available that distinguishes which offenses are mandatory or discretionary post-release control. Offenders serving sentences for crimes other than felonies of the first degree or sex crimes are eligible for an early release from post-release control upon the demonstration of satisfactory conduct.

In making the determination whether to impose discretionary post-release control, the Parole Board is directed to consider the prisoner’s criminal history, any juvenile court delinquency adjudication, the record of the prisoner’s conduct while imprisoned, and any recommendations from the Office of Victim Services. Most discretionary cases receive the form of post-release control supervision called "monitored time," which only requires that offenders conduct themselves in a law-abiding manner and comply with any recommendations from the sentencing court, such as restitution or drug testing. Those offenders whose post-release control term is mandated generally receive basic supervision and are actively supervised by a parole officer.

Violators of post-release control may be subject to progressively restrictive sanctions. Violation behaviors suggesting the need for residential sanctions, to include a prison term, are afforded minimum due process prior to sanction imposition. More serious violators can be returned to prison for up to nine months per violation with the cumulative prison term for all violations not exceeding one-half of the original sentence served in prison.

A suitable placement plan is important for every offender released to post-release control. Unsuitable plans may result in rejection by the supervising Parole Officer with placement in a halfway house or other community resource. Offenders failing to cooperate with the placement process are instructed to report to a Parole Officer in the county that last sent them to prison.

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