Malcolm Jenkins, Ohio State and NFL Football Star, Urges Ohio Lawmakers to Support Groundbreaking Criminal Justice Reform Bill

Saints Safety Backs Bipartisan Senate Bill 3

Jenkins: “While Ohio has much to be proud of, it has also been the epicenter of the opioid crisis and of racial overincarceration. It is time to break this cycle of failure.” 

(Columbus) - Malcolm Jenkins, beloved Ohio State Buckeye star and safety for the New Orleans Saints, has voiced his support for Ohio Senate Bill 3, a major criminal justice reform measure that will promote drug treatment, safely reduce incarceration for those struggling with addiction, and save taxpayer money. This landmark legislation has already passed the Ohio Senate with an overwhelming bipartisan vote and is poised for a vote in the Ohio House Criminal Justice Committee this week.  It could be on the floor of the House for a final vote within a week.   

Senate Bill 3 reduces penalties for certain low-level, non-violent offenses, particularly drug possession offenses. Under the legislation, which is sponsored by Senator John Eklund (R-18) and Sean O’Brien (D-32), most possession crimes would be reclassified as misdemeanors rather than felonies. The bill also decriminalizes possession of small amounts of marijuana, and limits the use of prison for technical violations of community supervision. Long-time criminal justice reform champion and House Majority Floor Leader Bill Seitz (R-30) is shepherding the legislation through the House, which must get the groundbreaking legislation to the Governor’s desk this month before the legislature adjourns for the year.
 
“As a proud Buckeye, and champion for racial and social justice, I wholeheartedly support this effort,” said Jenkins. I am proud to be part of the Ohio State family and urge the Ohio House to vote yes on Senate Bill 3.”
 
Historically, populations impacted by the existing law have been disproportionately low-income and African-American. Senate Bill 3 offers a second chance to first-time drug offenders, helping to address racial disparities in the state’s criminal justice system. It also aims to safely reduce incarceration in Ohio by 2,500 people, saving taxpayers $75 million each year.


Letter below. 

Members of the Ohio State House,

I’m writing to express my support for Senate Bill 3. While Ohio has much to be proud of, it has also been the epicenter of the opioid crisis and of racial overincarceration. It is time to break this cycle of failure. SB3 aims to reduce incarceration rates in Ohio by 2,500 individuals per year and move drug addicted individuals into treatment programs and out of prisons. As a proud Buckeye, and champion for racial and social justice, I wholeheartedly support this effort and urge you to join me by voting yes on SB3.

According to the Prison Policy Initiative, Ohio currently has nearly 80,000 people behind bars, the vast majority of which are Black Americans. While Ohio’s population is 12% Black, its prison population is 43% Black, which does not include the individuals caught in the system of probation and parole. It is time for change.

Senate Bill 3 would reduce the level of possession offenses from felonies to misdemeanors and decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana. It would also move a large number of low-level offenders with drug addictions into treatment programs. These reforms have proven to be impactful in reducing incarceration and improving public safety in other states and I urge Ohio to do the same by passing this bipartisan criminal justice reform legislation – legislation that has already passed out of the Senate with an overwhelming vote of 25-4.

I am proud to be part of the Ohio State family, a community I will always be connected to. The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation continues to invest in Ohio and works to effectuate positive change in the lives of youth, particularly those in underserved communities. I’ve seen the need and I respectfully urge the House chamber to pass SB 3 so these necessary reforms can be put to work.

Thank you,

Malcolm Jenkins
Ohio State University, Class of 2009 & Winner of the Jim Thorpe Award Two-time Super Bowl Champion & Three-time Pro-Bowl Safety for the New Orleans Saints Co-Founder of the Players Coalition Founder of The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation