Civility Toward All: Warden Rochelle Moore Helps Inspire Hope

For many people in Ohio, prison doesn't seem like a place you'd find hope. But Warden Rochelle Moore sees it daily at Pickaway Correctional Institution (PCI).

She sees it in the ODRC team members who spark the power of change, the volunteers who help incarcerated people find their new passion, and the incarcerated people who seek to leave their past behind and rebuild their lives.

Moore believes that positivity and passion for change are inspirational. "It makes me feel good. I'm hopeful," she said. "I'm around people who are being civil and providing compassion. That's hopeful to me."

At PCI, incarcerated people can access programs to assist their future reentry, including GED and adult education programs, career technical training programs, trade apprenticeships, and community service programs like doggy daycare. Moore always intends to support the work of people within these programs, including volunteers. "They're people who provide hope. I know how important that is," she said. "I like being able to do that and finding innovative ways to do it."

The goal of these programs is to inspire incarcerated individuals to make changes in their own lives and build skills that will be relevant once they leave prison. "Programs that bring hope to incarcerated adults are essential," said Moore. "Because you need hope in your daily life. You need a reason to get up in the morning."

Many members of the public are not aware of the ways that ODRC rehabilitation programs and team members can help prepare people to return to life on the outside. Through programs like the ones at Pickaway and the people who work with them, better lives are possible for incarcerated people working for change - if Ohioans are willing to give them a chance. "We have to get to a place where society sees the hard work and dedication we put forth," said Moore.

The fear that many might feel about accepting a formerly incarcerated person is also felt by the person reentering society, said Moore. "Society is fearful of formerly incarcerated people, and formerly incarcerated people are fearful of society," she said.

Rehabilitation programs can help bridge that gap by providing opportunities for people who are reentering society and members of the public to work together, whether it be in volunteer opportunities, employment partnerships, or simply giving compassion to a returning neighbor or family member.

By providing opportunities for rehabilitation and welcoming formerly incarcerated people with hope, ODRC works to enable rehabilitation at Pickaway and throughout the state.

"If Ohioans knew what we did daily, they wouldn't be so fearful," said Moore. "We work hard at getting people ready to come back out. It's easy to embrace them. That fear doesn't need to be there."

Learn more about ODRC's core values and how we enable second chances for incarcerated people working for change by visiting our About page.

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