The Franklin County Board of Commissioners renewed funding Tuesday for prison and jail diversion programs.
The $5 million for the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas will target people on probation who have a medium-to-high risk of committing another crime.
Chief probation officer Lori Francescon says the target goal for next year is to divert nearly 1,500 people from prison by connecting them to substance abuse treatment, workforce development, anger management and other resources.
“At the end of the day, the important thing is we have to get to the thinking behind the behavior," Francescon said. "Once we start to assist individuals in changing the way they think about certain things, then the behavior subsequently will change, as well.”
The funds, which come from the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections, will also help ensure people make their court dates.
