OHIO: The Ohio Juvenile Justice Working Group issues 26 ideas in new report

Juvenile Justice Working Group releases report with 26 recommendations

The Ohio Juvenile Justice Working Group has released a new report with 26 recommendations for reforming the state's juvenile justice system. The group was created by Governor Mike DeWine in 2021 to review the system and make recommendations for improvement.

The report includes recommendations to reduce the number of youth in the justice system, improve outcomes for youth who are in the system, and strengthen community-based supports for youth.

Recommendations to reduce the number of youth in the justice system

The report recommends a number of strategies to reduce the number of youth in the justice system, including:

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Expanding access to early childhood education and other programs that support healthy development

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Diverting low-level offenses from the justice system to community-based programs

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Raising the age of juvenile court jurisdiction from 18 to 21

Recommendations to improve outcomes for youth who are in the system

The report also includes recommendations to improve outcomes for youth who are in the justice system, including:

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Providing trauma-informed care and evidence-based interventions

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Investing in education, job training, and other programs that support youth reentry

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Creating a statewide system to track youth outcomes

Recommendations to strengthen community-based supports for youth

The report also recommends a number of ways to strengthen community-based supports for youth, including:

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Expanding access to mental health and substance abuse treatment

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Creating more opportunities for youth to participate in positive activities

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Supporting families and caregivers of youth who are at risk of entering the justice system

Conclusion

The Ohio Juvenile Justice Working Group's report is a comprehensive and thoughtful plan for reforming the state's juvenile justice system. The report's recommendations are based on the latest research and evidence, and they have the potential to make a real difference in the lives of Ohio's youth.

The Ohio Juvenile Justice Working Group is a diverse group of stakeholders, including law enforcement, judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, youth advocates, and community members. The group was charged with reviewing the state's juvenile justice system and making recommendations for improvement.