COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Juvenile Justice Working Group met for the second time on Tuesday, where staff members at Ohio Department of Youth Services (DYS) spoke to the group about staffing shortages and violence within facilities.
Turneikio Belcher has been an employee with DYS for 29 years. She said this year has been hard.
“I have seen a lot of changes with my tenure at DYS, this is the worst I’ve ever seen it."
Belcher said across the board, they are short staffed. She said sometimes the lives of staff members are at risk at the juvenile facilities.
“Staff are being assaulted, literally. Going out in ambulances, almost losing their lives,” said Belcher.
Belcher said gangs are very prevalent in the facilities.
“The environment is not just unsafe [for staff], but also unsafe for the other kids in the unit. Some of these kids get involved with gang stuff because they are terrified they will get beat up if they don’t participate,” said Belcher.
Teachers also got a chance to express their concerns. Dominic Marsano, the president of State Council of Professional Educators (SCOPE), said one in five teacher positions are vacant at DYS.
“Too often in our DYS facilities we have teachers who leave within a short period of time because they feel lost, not supported,” said Marsano.
Marsano wants the group to work on hiring and retaining teachers. He also wants teachers to have extra support.
“The second recommendation SCOPE has is that youth specialists are present at all times when teachers are teaching. By ensuring youth specialists, it’s a safe environment in which education can take place,” said Marsano.