Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (ODRC)

All adults convicted of felonies for which the statutory minimum is at least six months come into the state's prison system, which is under the supervision of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction.Many convicted felons are not, however, sent to prison. Instead, they are supervised in the community through probation or other community corrections alternatives.Convicted felons who have served a specific amount of time in prison can be, if eligible, placed back into the community through a system called Parole. Parole is a period of supervision prior to full release from the state's correctional system. This function, too, belongs to the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction.The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction was established under House Bill 494. Its responsibilities are defined in Ohio Revised Code 5120.Final responsibility for operation of the Department rests with the Governor who appoints the Director. The Department's Director serves at the pleasure of the Governor. The Director has full power and authority in the supervision and control of the Department's affairs and is its chief administrative officer.