MANSFIELD — Richland Correctional Institution has announced its 2026 Correction Officer of the Year and Employee of the Year. Administrative Professional Jennifer Myers has been with ODRC since 2013, spending the first 10 years of her career at Mansfield Correctional Institution before moving to her current role at RiCI in 2023. Since then, she has […]
Richland Correctional Institution
Posted inSolutions
New Chapter Store provides returning citizens with a fresh start
MANSFIELD — Patty Kastelic has watched men leave the Richland Correctional Institution after serving their time with nothing but the clothes on their back. “I’ve been witness to men walking out with no friends or family here to get them and going out in that Ohio Department of Corrections jumpsuit,” said Kastelic, a volunteer at the […]
Posted inLife and Culture
RiCI & Richland County Children Services launches holiday toy drive
MANSFIELD — The Richland Correctional Institution (RiCI), in collaboration with Richland County Children Services (RCCS), is hosting a “Holiday Day Toy Drive” for youths in the care of RCCS. Currently RCCS has 170 youngsters in foster care. Help us make the holiday season brighter for the youths in foster care by donating a toy or […]
Posted inSolutions
Prison Opossums: How Richland Correctional Institution is rehabilitating animals and incarcerated persons
Editor’s note: Incarcerated persons’ full names will not be used to protect them and any individuals who may have been impacted by their crimes. MANSFIELD — Richland Correctional Institution is home to roughly 2,500 incarcerated persons and, at times, dozens of squirrels and opossums.
Posted inLife and Culture
Picnic with Pops allows incarcerated men to celebrate Father’s Day with family
MANSFIELD — The little girl sat in her father’s lap, his left arm holding her steady. Her light brown curls rested on his shoulder as he colored the stripes of a seashell with a blue marker. Another dad tossed an orange foam football with his son in the yard. They both smiled and exchanged light-hearted […]
Posted inNews
Mansfield Fire Dept. responds to multiple overdoses at RICI
MANSFIELD — Three incarcerated individuals are back at the Richland Correctional Institution after being transported to a local hospital following an overdose. Kenneth Spencer, a program administrator at RiCI, confirmed via a statement that three incarcerated individuals, all in the same housing unit, required medical attention after “suspected intoxication” late Tuesday night. Spencer said Narcan was […]
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Richland Correctional Institution honors top employees
MANSFIELD — The Richland Correctional Institution has announced its top employees of the year. Officer David Dowler is the 2025 Correction Officer of the Year and Case Manager Cathy Donovan-Barre is the 2025 Employee of the Year for Richland Correctional Institution. David Dowler Officer David Dowler started in juvenile corrections in 1997 before joining Richland […]
Posted inLife and Culture
Bridging Communities: Ohio Social Sports brings volleyball teams to RICI
MANSFIELD — Tuesday night’s volleyball game was what you would hear in any other gym. The only difference was the game featured Ohio Social Sports’ “Chewblockas” team playing people incarcerated at Richland Correctional Institution.
Posted inLife and Culture
Hope & redemption: The enduring 30-year bond between OSR and Shawshank
MANSFIELD — The former Ohio State Reformatory and the “Shawshank Redemption” movie have had a three-decade-long symbiotic relationship. One would not exist without the other.
Posted inLife and Culture
‘Picnic with Pop:’ Downtown Mansfield lunch celebrates local fatherhood
Community members celebrated fatherhood with food, entertainment, games, informational booths and more during the free June 8 event.