In the mid 1980s, a group of community corrections practitioners and interested parties came together with state agencies to address the rising prison population. This group of dedicated professionals saw real value in bringing together all aspects of community corrections to work toward common goals and formed The Ohio Community Corrections Organization (OCCO) in 1986. In 2005, the name of the organization was changed to The Ohio Justice Alliance for Community Corrections (OJACC).

OJACC is a nonprofit coalition of elected officials and community corrections professionals working together to improve and promote adult and juvenile community corrections. We are an umbrella organization bringing together judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, pretrial/probation officers, law enforcement, corrections officials, community corrections and treatment practitioners to work toward the common goal of community interventions for offenders to reduce recidivism and promote public safety.

OJACC has grown significantly over the years and continues to attract dedicated professionals. OJACC focuses on collaboration across different aspects of community corrections to educate policy makers and legislators on issues affecting community corrections. OJACC also provides education to community corrections practitioners to enhance services throughout the state.

If you are interested in joining us to promote community corrections in Ohio, please consider participation in our Public Education Committee, Legislative Committee, or one of our subcommittees, which include: Conference Committee, Adult Community Corrections Committee, Juvenile Community Corrections Committee, Associateship Committee or Newsletter Committee. Please contact Cheryl Taylor at (740) 420-6644 for more information.

Much work has been done over the years in the field of community corrections and Ohio is viewed as a national leader in this field. However, there is still much work to be done. Fortunately, we now have a great deal of research to provide the information needed to be more successful with offenders in the community, leading to long term behavioral change and ultimately an increase in public safety.

Gayle Dittmer, OJACC President