Prisoners' Rights

Incarceration is perhaps the greatest deprivation of liberty that the government can impose on a person. It is the responsibility of the state to ensure that all people housed in prisons are treated humanely, given proper medical treatment, and are supported through rehabilitative and educational programming to ease re-entry into society once the person is released.

two men dressed in orange prison jumpsuits, behind bars

The ACLU of Ohio works to ensure that our state prisons, jails, and detention centers comply with the Constitution, domestic law, and human rights principles. Incarceration is perhaps the greatest deprivation of liberty that the government can impose on a person; but prisoners retain their rights to other basic protections and freedoms – among these are freedom from cruel and unusual punishment, freedom of religion, the right to legal representation, and the right to due process.

It is the responsibility of the state to ensure that all people housed in prisons are treated humanely, given proper medical treatment, and are supported through rehabilitative and educational programming to ease re-entry into society once the person is released.

The Latest

News & Commentary
ohio statehouse graphic with red podium and microphone

Sub. House Bill 338 – Opponent Testimony

We advocate for a narrower version of HB 338 that directly addresses issues of serious prison violence instead of a kitchen sink bill that dilutes the focus on the stated goal of reducing that violence and, we believe, contains various changes that will prove to be counterproductive.
News & Commentary
ohio statehouse graphic with red podium and microphone

House Bill 487 – Opponent Testimony (written only)

HB 487 perpetuates the failed (and very expensive) belief we can punish and incarcerate our way out of our drug problems. The ACLU of Ohio urges this committee’s rejection of House Bill 487.
News & Commentary
ohio statehouse graphic with red podium and microphone

House Bill 31 – Proponent Testimony

HB 31 would expand Ohio’s public records laws to require recordings of full parole board hearings conducted by the Ohio Parole Board and to allow those recordings and transcriptions to be requested and received by the public.
Resource
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Cases, Campaigns & Legislation

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Apr 2026

Smart Justice

We envision an Ohio where justice means dignity, fairness, and safety for all—where no one is punished for being poor, and communities are strengthened by care, not cages.