Juvenile Justice Coalition of Ohio Statement on Death in Circleville Juvenile Correctional Facility (8/31/20)

Columbus, OH, August 31 2020 — Following the death of a young person in Circleville Juvenile Correctional Facility (CJCF), Kenza Kamal, Policy Director at the Juvenile Justice Coalition of Ohio (JJC) released the following statement:“We are deeply saddened to learn of the death of a young person in the Circleville Juvenile Correctional Facility. This death is a tragedy for our community, and we extend our condolences to his family and friends. It is already unimaginable to be separated from your loved ones and placed in a system that inflicts more damage than good, and knowing his loved ones and fellow incarcerated youth are enduring a loss in those conditions is even more devastating.“It is also troubling that the Ohio Department of Youth Services decided to disclose his charge to the public. This practice must end, and we ask that the privacy of youth and families is protected.“We call for a thorough and transparent investigation and for CJCF to ensure counselors are available to young people in the facility and his family.”