Ohio Shouldn't Put Kids Under 14 In Prisons, Report Says

Key Findings

• The report analyzed data on the treatment and transfer of children under 18 in the Ohio Department of Youth Services.
• Researchers found that Black children and children with disabilities are disproportionately represented in the juvenile justice system.
• The report recommends that Ohio raise the minimum age of confinement to 14, end the practice of transferring youth to adult prisons, and invest in community-based alternatives to incarceration.

Prison's Negative Impact on Youth

The report's findings are consistent with a growing body of research on the negative impact of incarceration on youth. Studies have shown that youth who are incarcerated are more likely to experience physical and mental health problems, have difficulty finding employment and housing, and engage in criminal activity later in life.

Alternatives to Incarceration

The report recommends a number of community-based alternatives to incarceration that have been shown to be effective in reducing recidivism and improving outcomes for youth. These alternatives include:

• Intensive supervision programs
• Residential treatment programs
• Mentoring programs
• Job training programs

Conclusion

The report's findings provide strong evidence that Ohio should raise the minimum age of confinement to 14 and invest in community-based alternatives to incarceration. These reforms would improve outcomes for youth and make Ohio communities safer.

Sources

• The Atlantic: Stop Locking Kids Away
• The Sentencing Project: Youth Incarceration Facts
• National Conference of State Legislatures: Alternatives to Juvenile Incarceration