Ohio Governor Mike DeWine's juvenile justice working group has come together to address the challenges faced by Ohio's youth prisons following an extensive investigation.
Amy Ast, Director of the Department of Youth Services, revealed that although Ohio has the necessary funds to hire and pay for essential personnel such as guards, behavioral health clinicians, and teachers, they are struggling to fill these positions.
This is not only an issue specific to Ohio, it's across the u.s. juvenile corrections and probation jobs are hard to fill, as highlighted in a recent report from the Council for State Governments. Increasing staff numbers would lead to a reduction in fights and assaults, ensuring a safer environment for both staff and incarcerated children. Moreover, there is a pressing need for more licensed behavioral health clinicians who can provide personalized services to the most vulnerable and complex youth in Ohio.
Governor DeWine established this working group in response to the findings of an eight-month investigation conducted by various news publications, including the Cincinnati Enquirer, Columbus Dispatch, Akron Beacon Journal, and Canton Repository, and the USA TODAY Network Ohio.
The investigation shed light on staffing problems, violent incidents, and the traumatic experiences within juvenile lockups. Fights and assaults erupt unexpectedly, resulting in injuries to both staff and children. Maintaining order has become increasingly challenging, and workers fear for their safety. Disturbingly, within three years of leaving a state youth prison, four out of ten teenagers are re-incarcerated in either the youth or adult system, with those who avoid prison facing a higher risk of premature death.
The working group, led by former Department of Youth Services Director Tom Stickrath, will specifically focus on staffing issues, violence, behavioral health services, and the incarcerated youth population in prisons and local detention centers. Stickrath has scheduled a series of virtual and in-person meetings that will extend through February.
Front entrance to the Indian River Juvenile Correctional Facility, Massillon Ohio.Photo byWKYC-TV
Governor DeWine has urged the group to think boldly and be innovative in their search for solutions. Initially, the task force comprised current and retired juvenile court judges, a prosecutor, an academic, and others.
However, after receiving criticism regarding a lack of diverse viewpoints, the DeWine administration added members such as Sheriff Michael Heldman of Hancock County, former Talbert House Director Neil Tilow, Habeeba Grimes from the Cleveland-based Positive Education Program, Dan Jones from the Northwest Training and Rehabilitation Center, and Mujaddid Muhammad from the Restored Citizen FAITH Foundation.
Youth offenders walking to the cafeteria at the Circleville Juvenile Correctional Facility, Circleville Ohio.Photo byAP Photo/Andrew Welsh-Huggins
In the coming days, Amy Ast is scheduled to address queries from the Correctional Institution Inspection Committee at the Ohio Statehouse. This bipartisan panel of legislators oversees the state's adult and youth prisons. Additionally, DeWine's task force will reconvene at the Ohio Department of Public Safety building on December 12th, 2023, from 10 a.m. to noon.
We will be continuing to follow this story. You can also find more coverage on this story on The Columbus Dispatch, and part of the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau.
my son has worked in youth prison system for many yearshe has concluded that mgt is very poor ,not enough training for new employees,firing of very skilled workers,and the critical need for therapeutic restraints.please hel the youth and dedicated workers by firing the top mgt.
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