Ohio's youth prisons accused of being overcrowded, understaffed

[theHandpuppet]

Recent report finds problems

Tuesday, January 1, 2008 11:08 PM EST

Youth prisons accused of being overcrowded,understaffed

BY RYAN SCOTT OTTNEY
PDT Staff Writer

A recently-released report accuses Ohio's youth prisons of being overcrowded and understaffed, also saying they fail to educate children behind bars or keep them safe. There reportedly are 1,700 imprisoned youths in the state of Ohio - including 336 at Ohio River Valley Juvenile Correctional Facility in Franklin Furnace.

According to the report released Monday by independent consultant Fred Cohen, excessive use of force is common and ingrained in the operations of the Department of Youth Services. The report found guards regularly place children in solitary confinement for inappropriately long periods of time.

The state hired Cohen to investigate after attorneys representing imprisoned youth filed a civil rights lawsuit over conditions in the juvenile centers....

MORE http://www.portsmouth-dailytimes.com/articles/2008/01/02/news/local_news/1news_youthprisons.txt

[geiger]

1. this is disturbing on so many levels

we as a society are criminalizing so much behavior that in other days might be considered "prank" or "growing up" pains, turned over to the remand of parental authority. i wonder what percentage of the incarcerated youth population is mentally ill and have learning disorders. there is so much stress in our world today, it's hard even for adults to cope.... one could go on and on; the symbolism is heartbreaking.

[poisonivy]

2. part of the problem

is the fact that many parents DONT teach their kids right and wrong, dont teach their kids to take responsibility for their actions, and dont discipline their kids. I work in a county jail and its pretty sad to see how many young guys are in jail for everything from assualt, failure to appear, child support, etc...

Somebody has to step in since the parents are NOT doing their jobs.

[geiger]

3. It's hard work, that's for sure

I worry every day how my two young sons will turn out. I know there are no guarantees.