Ohio’s Youth Prisons Moving to 7-day Visitation Week
As reported in the August 16, Columbus Dispatch...
Ohio’s youth prison system is moving to seven-days-a-week visitations to make it easier for parents and guardians to see their children, a policy change that officials hope will mean fewer return trips by youths after they have been released.The agency has to keep juveniles connected to their families if it wants improved outcomes for the youths, said Harvey Reed, director of the Department of Youth Services. “Everybody’s parent and guardian is not off on Saturday and Sunday,” Reed said last week. He added: “We try to make sure to meet kids where they are, and families, because that’s what this is about. It’s about engaging those families.”
Daily visitation will start at Circleville Juvenile Correctional Facility in Pickaway County in November. Cuyahoga Hills Juvenile Correctional Facility near Cleveland and Indian River Juvenile Correctional Facility near Massillon already offer the expanded hours.
The agency offers families free bus trips to facilities; last year, 69 trips took 677 passengers to youth prisons.
The agency also sets up video chats between youths and family members.
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