Nearly a year after publication of an investigation into Ohio’s youth prisons , new inspection reports show escalating violence and chronic staff shortages continue to hinder the state’s ability to protect its employees and teens in the system.
The Correctional Institution Inspection Committee , a bipartisan group of lawmakers and its professional staff, released reports this month on Indian River Juvenile Correctional Facility in Massillon and Circleville JCF south of Columbus. In both reports, the committee said the Ohio Department of Youth Services failed to provide some of the requested data.
Special report: Ohio’s juvenile detention system struggles with violence, neglect
Here are the key takeaways from the reports:
- Hours kids spend locked in their rooms increased in 2024 over 2023.
- The rate of violent acts each week increased slightly at Circleville and jumped 31% at Indian River in 2024 over 2023.
- Staff are physically restraining youths at both prisons more often this year than last.
- Employee vacancy rates are high, 21.5% at Circleville and 22.2% at Indian River, including open positions and people on leave.
- Employee churn is high, 58.6% of workers left Circleville and 44.1% left Indian River in 2023.
- Gangs continue to exert influence with more than half of kids joining a gang.