Education.
restorative solutions are possible.
UNLEARNING OLD CYCLES. UNLOCKING NEW FEATURES.
mandatory bindover 101:
WHAT IT IS, WHAT IT DOES TO YOUNG PEOPLE, AND WHAT YOU CAN DO TO END IT IN OHIO
police-youth interaction minimum standards
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When questioning, searching, detaining, arresting, interrogating, or interviewing youth, they shall be afforded their constitutional and statutory rights in a developmentally appropriate, trauma-informed, and equitable manner.
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Agencies should allow officers to exercise discretion and make reasonable age-appropriate modifications of their practices, including use of the least restrictive and coercive approaches possible, when interacting with special youth populations such as those in crisis due to mental illness or substance abuse, or those with developmental or intellectual disabilities.
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When feasible, officers should use alternatives to arrest that both preserves public safety and holds youth accountable, with arrest as a last resort. Alternatives may include the provision of warnings, referral to an appropriate community social service or mental health agency, or the issuance of a citation.
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Training for officers should include content focusing on youth development, age appropriate and trauma-informed communication strategies, de-escalation practices, and the special needs of certain youth populations.
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Agencies shall conduct a documented annual administrative review of their practices and of the data they collect on youth arrests by charge, age, race, and use of force.
the cost of incarceration.
NOW IS THE TIME FOR CHANGE.
Each year Ohio spends nearly $118 million incarcerating about 500 youth up to age 21 at the cost of $235,841 per youth. That’s equal to eighteen years of undergraduate education at The Ohio State University.
youth prisons are harmful
The death rates of formerly incarcerated youth are six to nine times higher than other youth. Risk of death by homicide, drug overdose, and suicide are significantly higher for youth who have spent any time behind bars. The numbers are worse for Black and brown youth.
jjc In the media
community-based alternatives to incarceration.
In 1992, Ohio’s youth prison population topped 2,500 and was projected to rise dramatically. Since then, Ohio began implementing programs to incentivize local courts to keep youth closer to home.
Today, fewer than 500 youth are admitted to Ohio youth prisons each year and Ohio makes significant investments in redirecting youth to community-based alternatives that are less expensive and more effective than locked facilities.
bring home youth report
Our Bring Youth Home report on Ohio’s deincarceration programs has been widely published and is used to drive innovation throughout Ohio’s deincaceration programs and beyond. Use the resources below to see how you can join us in shaping change.
