Sunday, December 30, 2012
Violence runs rampant at Ohio’s youth prisons
Associated Press
COLUMBUS
Ohio’s youth prisons have much higher assault rates than the adult lockups, a newspaper reported Sunday.
Juvenile prisons had more than 1,600 assaults in 2011, with an overall population of only 680 youths. The adult population of more than 50,000 inmates had nearly 2,500 assaults.
Assaults include striking another person, throwing at and hitting them with an object, and spitting at or biting.
The Columbus Dispatch reported ) that some Department of Youth Services staffers say there isn’t enough discipline in the youth prisons and that conditions are dangerous for both the teens and the prison staff.
“We have to go in every day wondering if it’s going to be safe for us,” said Jonathan Blackford, 35, who is a corrections officer at the Circleville Juvenile Correctional Facility.
A corrections officer at the Scioto Juvenile Correctional Facility was hospitalized in September after three inmates charged into her office and beat her.
The four Ohio youth prisons include the state’s most violent juvenile offenders, and also some young people with mental issues.
“Youth receive consequences for inappropriate behavior,” said Harvey Reed, director of youth services department.
The state spends much more on youth inmates than adults; some $161,497 annually per youth compared to $24,871 on adults, The Dispatch reported. The focus is on rehabilitation and preparation for a productive adult life.