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

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.
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DOUBLE YOUR IMPACT

Thanks to a generous supporter, your donations to the ACLU of Ohio will be matched up to $100,000 through January 15th!
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ACLU of Ohio Voter Impact Fund

The ACLU of Ohio Voter Impact Fund was created to support our critical electoral work to ensure the ACLU of Ohio remains a trusted leader in protecting the rights and civil liberties of all Ohioans.
News & Commentary
statehouse with various issue posters

Lameduck 2024: Overview + Resources

Every even-year election, as lawmakers prepare for the next General Assembly, we enter the “Lameduck period,” taking place between Election Day and the start of the new session.
Campaign
Nov 2025

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.