STEPS TAKEN Changes in operations

The Ohio Department of Youth Services has instituted several changes in its prison operations to settle a 2004 federal lawsuit that ended a year ago Thursday. Some of the steps the agency has taken:

Reduced the number of juvenile offenders being housed from an average of 1,631 in March 2008 to an average of 1,315 in April. Marion Juvenile Correctional Facility, with many reports of fights and violence, will close next month.

Hired 136 additional staff, including 107 guards, 11 teachers and six social workers.

Overhauled the way offenders are released into the community. Under a plan approved in February, the agency starts discussing the release of some offenders almost as soon as they arrive.

Created a new system for classifying offenders in an effort to house youths with similar criminal backgrounds together.

Expanded community-based treatment centers to allow certain offenders to receive services where they live.

Opened a 24-bed unit aimed at helping male teens who have returned to the system because of a parole violation and are deemed most likely to commit new crimes after being released.

Made plans to expand systemwide teaching of techniques such as social skills, anger management and problem solving to offenders likely to commit new crimes once released.

Clarified in writing when guards can use force and when they should first exhaust nonphysical alternatives. Examples of when force is allowed include when a youth is physically violent and poses an immediate danger to himself or others.

Changed guards’ uniforms to less harsh-appearing tan slacks and blue shirts; changed the title of guards from “juvenile correctional officers” to “youth specialists.”

Created a “Family Engagement Team” to increase family participation in the treatment youths receive.

Created “comfort rooms” in the agency’s mental-health units and on the girls’ unit to provide a safe place for offenders to collect themselves during stressful moments.