Announcements

Oriana House clients at the CROSSWAEH Community Based Correctional Facility (CBCF) for Women had a rewarding, educational opportunity to participate in a book club with students from Heidelberg University who are interested in the criminal justice field.

The CBCF program is an alternative to jail or prison incarceration. Clients are sanctioned to the facility for up to 180 days and receive programming that addresses issues such as education, cognitive skills, employment, anger management, substance use, and mental health. Oriana House operates the CROSSWAEH CBCF.

Under the direction of Dr. Sarah Lazzari, Assistant Professor of Criminology and Sociology at Heidelberg University, students came to CROSSWAEH once a week for eight weeks and joined clients to discuss the novel, “Inside This Place, Not of It.” The book includes the narratives of 13 women who share their struggles of coping with incarceration.

Dr. Lazzari encouraged insightful discussion and reflection about the book. Students were able to discuss real life events with CROSSWAEH clients, and clients shared their experiences within the criminal justice system.

“The book club provides an opportunity for my students to talk with women living the stories within the book,” said Lazzari.

CROSSWAEH Clinical Coordinator Jami Opp said clients looked forward to the book club every week. “It really was an inspiring and amazing experience,” Opp said.

Samantha, a CROSSWAEH client, appreciated the opportunity to be involved in the book club. “The stigma behind people in prison seems to be broken with these students. They don’t judge, and they see inmates as actual people and not just a number,” said Samantha.

“We also hope that the book club shows the women that the larger community does care about them and wants to find common ground. Providing a space where people, from different walks of life, can come together is how we move forward together,” added Lazzari.

Clients and students enjoyed snacks every week which were donated by Dr. Marc O’Reilly of Heidelberg University and the Kiwanis Club of Tiffin.

This was the second year that Dr. Lazzari has facilitated the book club at CROSSWAEH.

Opp is grateful of the partnership between Heidelberg University and Oriana House. “Having the presence of Dr. Lazzari and students inside our facility was a reminder to all of our clients that higher education is an option for them. We try to instill in them that they are not defined by their current circumstances,” Opp added.

“This book club was super. It was a way to have our voices heard and not judged,” Samantha added.

Photo caption: Dr. Sarah Lazzari of Heidelberg University (back row, left) and Oriana House Clinical Coordinator Jami Opp (second from right) with CROSSWAEH clients and Heidelberg University students who participated in one of the recent book club sessions which focused on incarceration.

May 2025