WKSU News: Number of juveniles in Ohio prisons drops

Thursday, January 7, 2016 Number of juveniles in Ohio prisons drops Judges get credit for better awareness of dangers facing youths in adult prisons. by WKSU's ANDY CHOW	Reporter Andy Chow

Joanna Saul, Executive Director of the Correctional Institution Inspection Committee

Courtesy of Andy Chow

The group that keeps tabs on Ohio’s prisons for state lawmakers says there are fewer young people behind bars.

Statehouse correspondent Andy Chow reports.

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The Correction Institution Inspection Committee said the number of teenagers sent to Ohio’s adult prisons took a huge dip to its lowest numbers in 15 years.

The group’s executive director, Joanna Saul, says this represents an important institutional shift. “Anytime you have juveniles placed into the adult prison system you’re basically throwing away the key in my opinion. You are building up for them an education in how to be a criminal.”

Saul says the low numbers are, in part, due to more awareness about the dangers of putting youths in adult prisons and a better understanding among judges.

She notes some issues Ohio’s correctional facilities are facing in the future include a dip in inmates earning GEDs and increasing prison populations.