Cincinnati Shooting Survivor Teaches Felons About Guns Behind Bars

Rufus Johnson's weapons-under-disability course aims to keep ex-offenders from reoffending with firearms.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 4:11pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a handgun magazine against a pitch-black background, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash, conceptually illustrating the serious legal and personal stakes of gun possession for individuals with felony convictions.A stark, gritty close-up of a gun magazine highlights the legal risks and personal consequences of firearm possession for those with felony records.Cincinnati Today

Rufus Johnson, a Cincinnati man who survived being shot in the face as a teenager, now teaches a 90-day weapons-under-disability course at River City Correctional Center. The program, which is mandatory for residents, combines legal education, trauma-informed tools, and conflict resolution to prevent ex-offenders from picking up guns again after release. Since the program launched in 2024, about 80% of graduates have not been reincarcerated, with only two facing new weapons charges.

Why it matters

Gun violence and recidivism are major issues in Cincinnati, with local judges pressing for programs that directly address these problems. The River City course takes an innovative approach by empowering a shooting survivor to educate felons on the legal consequences and personal trauma of gun crimes, with the goal of steering them towards more positive life choices.

The details

The weapons-under-disability course at River City Correctional Center is part of a broader trauma-informed care initiative added in 2024. It mixes legal education on Ohio's statutes prohibiting felons from possessing firearms with practical tools for conflict resolution and building stable, crime-free lives. Rufus Johnson, who was shot in the face as a teenager, brings credibility and real-world experience to the classroom, helping the lessons resonate with residents in a way a typical lecture never could.

  • The program launched at River City Correctional Center in 2024.
  • The course runs for about 90 days and is now mandatory for all residents.

The players

Rufus Johnson

A Cincinnati man who survived being shot in the face as a teenager, and now teaches a weapons-under-disability course at River City Correctional Center to help ex-offenders avoid gun crimes.

Scott McVey

The executive director of River City Correctional Center, who says the weapons course was launched in response to requests from local judges to find programs addressing gun violence and recidivism.

River City Correctional Center

A correctional facility in Cincinnati's Camp Washington neighborhood that offers a range of rehabilitation programs, including the mandatory weapons-under-disability course.

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What they’re saying

“I was a victim. That's why I lean on both legal knowledge and lived experience when I teach.”

— Rufus Johnson

“Since the program launched in 2024, about 50 people have graduated, and roughly 80 percent have not been reincarcerated. Of the small number who did come back to custody, he said only two faced new weapons charges.”

— Scott McVey, Executive Director, River City Correctional Center

What’s next

River City Correctional Center plans to continue monitoring the outcomes of the weapons-under-disability course and make adjustments to the curriculum over time to maximize its impact on reducing gun violence and recidivism.

The takeaway

This innovative program empowers a shooting survivor to educate ex-offenders on the legal consequences and personal trauma of gun crimes, providing them with practical tools to make better choices and build stable, crime-free lives after release. The early success of the course has caught the attention of local judges, who are now looking to expand similar initiatives to address Cincinnati's ongoing challenges with gun violence and recidivism.