COLUMBUS, Ohio — Gov. Mike DeWine created the Ohio Juvenile Justice Working Group to look into various reported issues within the state’s juvenile justice system. The group released its overall findings and is now making recommendations. The suggestions include short and long-term proposals they believe could make the system safer for both the inmates in the system, and the staff that works there.

What You Need To Know

  • The reports key findings are recommendations to help create a safer environment for inmates and employees

  • The group formed last November to take a closer look into the juvenile justice system

  • The department discussed several improvements including some already in progress such as consolidating the size of correctional institutions and replacing them with smaller entities

In total, the group is making nearly 26 recommendations to combat systemic-related issues. Some of the suggestions are raising the minimum age at which youth can be placed into the system. Plus, holding minors more accountable if they assault a corrections officer. Gov. DeWine stated relevant state agencies to develop a master plan to combat youth violence reduction within facilities. 

“I see the struggles that juvenile correctional agencies face across our country with staff shortages,” said Tom Stickrath, the Chair of the Juvenile Justice Working Group. “Behavioral health needs, and the challenge of finding the right balance of discipline, accountability, rewards, and program.” 

Stickrath chaired the 11-member working group that was created by Gov.DeWine last November. After an investigation by USA Today, the group looked at ways to combat gang violence, drugs, and expanding programming that supports employees in the system. Some suggestions looked at retention of staff, and the best way to onboard employees with hiring. 

“The group recommends a state-developing master plan for a youth-serving state agency to ensure better coordination across departments,” said Gov. Mike DeWine, R-Ohio. “Less redundancy and overall better support for all of these children.” 

However, some of the recommendations that the group placed into the report are already being put into place.The group suggests replacing its three current correctional institutions with 12 smaller facilities. Which, they believe, would counteract several system-issues within youth, and help development. 

“With the funding from the capital budget,” DeWine said. “The past capital budget will be closing DYS 180-bed and Cuyahoga Hills facility in Cuyahoga County. It will be replaced with four smaller, 36-bed buildings with specialized housing units. That will be done under the current capital bill." 

“Smaller is better has been shown to work across the country and supported by the research survey,” Stickwrath said. 

They are also calling on Ohio lawmakers to make changes as well, and introduce legislation catered to some key findings in the report. They are asking them to pass legislation that would prohibit low-level offenders from being placed at the DYS state facility. Plus, give juvenile judges more leeway when it comes to sentencing, and raising the minimum age for anyone being sentenced into the system from 10-years-old to 14-years-old. 

“These recommendations the governor and I made are in light of research,” Stickwrath. “And best practices across the country. They are designed to more than temporarily remove youth who have committed crimes. Indeed, they are designed for the long-term improvement in youth outcomes and public safety.” 

The report suggests many other important changes to expand reentry support to youth, mental health help, improve employee wellness, and staff training, and even making strides on creating a parent-guardian liaison position, and a DYS parent advisory board.