On September 3, 2024, Governor Mike DeWine joined the Ohio Juvenile Justice Working Group members to announce a series of comprehensive recommendations to transform the state's juvenile justice system: "We must send these youth home with the very best chance to succeed," said DeWine. This follows the group's extensive review, which began in November 2023, to address significant challenges in Ohio's juvenile justice and corrections system. Gabriella Celeste, Policy Director at the Schubert Center for Child Studies, brought her many years of experience and legal expertise in child well-being and policy advocacy to the group.
The working group, led by Tom Stickrath, chair of the National Commission on Accreditation for Corrections and former director of the Ohio Department of Youth Services (DYS) and the Ohio Department of Public Safety presented 26 recommendations, some of which are in progress. ODYS Director Amy Ast shared their commitment to advancing the report recommendations.
One of the cornerstone recommendations is the "system transformation" of Ohio's correctional institutions. The plan proposes replacing large facilities with smaller, specialized units to create safer environments for youth and staff. Closing the Cuyahoga Hills facility and establishing smaller facilities is underway, and similar changes are planned across other campuses.
Another significant recommendation is the creation of additional Community Correctional Facilities (CCFs) in Ohio's largest counties - Cuyahoga, Franklin, and Hamilton - to keep youth closer to home and better connected with their families, which has been shown to improve outcomes upon release.
The working group's report also emphasizes the need for a coordinated, cross-agency approach to support young people and proactively divert them from criminal behavior. This includes expanding reentry support, engaging behavioral health providers, and developing programs to prevent gang activity and bullying within the facilities.
Governor DeWine has expressed his commitment to these recommendations, highlighting the importance of giving all youth, including those in the juvenile justice system, the best chance to realize their potential. With the ongoing efforts of the Ohio Juvenile Justice Working Group, these initiatives are set to create meaningful, lasting change across the state.
For more details on the complete set of recommendations,