A Ravenna landmark might become the site for a program designed to keep youth from entering the juvenile detention system.
Judge Patricia Smith, judge in Portage County Probate Court and Juvenile Court, approached Portage County commissioners about relocating the court’s Truancy Diversion Program to the fourth floor of Riddle Block 1. The space previously was used to house court clerks during a renovation of the Probate Court, and truancy diversion staff already are housed in the building.
Smith said the building already has security, and is less intimidating to youth and their parents than a courthouse.
“Any kind of truancy diversion programs should not be in the courthouse,” she said. “The purpose is to keep the kids out of the courthouse.”
Keeping youth out of prison
Smith told commissioners that since taking office, she’s worked to maximize state funding designed to keep youth out of state prisons.
In November, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said he wants a special working group to examine problems found by an eight-month investigation into Ohio’s youth prisons and local juvenile detention centers, The Columbus Dispatch reported.