COLUMBUS, Ohio — A group of people from different backgrounds were tasked by Gov. Mike DeWine to improve the juvenile justice system.
The Ohio Juvenile Justice Working Group includes judges, general assembly members, sheriffs and non-profit members.
“He challenged all of us to think big. I think work with juvenile court judges, advocates, labor partners and the support of the governor and general assembly we can make a difference and I look forward to that,” said Thomas Stickrath, chair of the Ohio Casino Commission.
On Tuesday the group focused on the Department of Youth Services Facilities. Amy Ast, the director of the department said population management at the facilities is an area the group should focus on. She said more juveniles have been coming into the facilities than in previous years and they are staying longer.
"Eighteen percent have 0 to 6 months (minimum sentencing). Fifteen percent have 6 months to a year. Sixty-seven percent of our youth have 1 or more years as a minimum sentence,” said Ast.
Ast said every facility in the state needs more staff. Nearly 20% of jobs across the board are open. More staff would make a big difference at the facilities.
“It’s no doubt more staff would reduce violence in facilities. It would give more staff to de-escalate youth prior to them in a crisis. We would have more staff for motivational interview sessions,” said Ast.
Ast said they need more licensed behavioral health clinicians. She said that role is critical for juveniles to improve in their mental health.
“With high trauma, re-activity population like ours individual sessions are critical to self-regulate. We simply don’t have the staff for those individual sessions.” said Ast.
The next meeting is scheduled for Dec. 12.