Programs : Community Alternative Center

The Community Alternative Center is a new residential alternative jail sentencing program located at: 597 Park Avenue East, Mansfield, Ohio.

This unique program will open for operation in September 2005 and house approximately 70 offenders on 2 remodeled floors. Under the direction of the Richland County Commissioners and the Richland County Adult Court Services, this program will provide a structured environment for offenders that will provide drug/alcohol services and rehabilitation services; work-release options, educational, religious, and recreational programming. The Community Alternative Center will provide cost-effective sentencing options for County and Municipal Courts in the immediate Richland County area. Offenders will be expected to pay $30 per day for the time they serve.

The concept of this new program will provide the reduction of jail bed space in the future new Richland County Jail construction project by at least 70 bed spaces. It will initially be an opportunity to alleviate the jail backlog of approximately 1,500 offenders who have been sentenced to serve county/city jail time during the past several years; by providing an alternative option in lieu of serving time in the current overcrowded county/city jails. This program will also be an alternative sentencing option for County, City, and Municipal Courts in the immediate Richland County area. This program is designed to provide an offender a controlled setting that provides accountability and rehabilitative services at a significant cost-effective compared to other residential services.
Highlights of the Program

Offender can maintain employment with the privilege of authorized work-release
Offender may keep licensed vehicle in assigned parking space at facility
Daily rehabilitative programming (drug/alcohol counseling, educational classes, recreation, dining area, visitation room, etc.)
All meals provided
Laundry services in-house
24-hour security staff
Case Managers assigned to insure accountability of each resident to program rules and compliance to court orders
Unlocked sleeping rooms which house two persons per room
Opportunity for offender to wear most of their own clothing and bring authorized personal hygiene items
Most importantly, an opportunity for the offender to be accountable for their court-ordered sentencing and to serve jail time in a less restrictive setting

70-bed facility that is recently being renovated to provide: new parking lot, entrance, new flooring in hallways, new sprinkler system, new laundry and shower areas, most rooms designed for two persons, video surveillance cameras, new kitchen/dining areas
Alcohol testing upon return from daily employment
Random room and facility searches
Random drug searches and testing
Security staff employed for 24/7 in-house supervision
Video/audio recording cameras throughout the facility
Case Managers assigned to check on employment attendance and behaviors
Low-cost food service contract with Richland County Jail
Inmates do all laundry in-house
Highly safe, secure and clean environment
Programming to include: drug/alcohol services, educational activities, anger management, religious programming, recreation, and work details
Contact Information

To learn more about this unique jail alternative program, please contact the Program Director at the following:

Tom Trittschuh, Program Director
597 Park Avenue East
Mansfield, Ohio 44905
Phone: 419-774-3576
e-mail:
trittschuh.t@cpcnet.co.richland.oh.us