CDF-Ohio > Juvenile Justice

Juvenile Justice

The Children's Defense Fund-Ohio works to address juvenile justice in Ohio, which includes: prevention, diversion, and incarceration; and the overrepresentation of children of color in the system. Our efforts involve working with local law enforcement, courts and the Ohio Department of Youth Services.

CDF-Ohio focuses its effort on the following principles:

• Disproportionate representation of minorities: The overrepresentation of children of color throughout our Judaical system, including secure correctional facilities, must be addressed.
• Reformation of the juvenile justice system in Ohio to mirror successful strategies implemented in other states, such as Missouri's model. This will result in smaller and more effective treatment facilities.
• Ensuring that children in the juvenile justice system have access to basic treatment services; e.g. mental health, substance abuse treatment and other services as necessary.
• Safety for all children that are held in secure settings; e.g. detention centers and correctional institutions.

Status of Ohio's Children: Juvenile Justice for Ohio's Children?

2006 Ohio KIDS COUNT Data Book

"Status of Ohio’s Children: Juvenile Justice for Ohio’s Children?" provides state and county data and information about Ohio’s juvenile justice system. Ohio has improved its support of children in recent years but continues to lag behind most states in terms of juvenile justice because minorities are disproportionately represented and there is a lack of basic treatment services for all children.

Juvenile Justice: A Look at Ohio

Year 2005	# Adjudicated Delinquent	# Committed to ODYS
Under 12	166	1
12	319	6
13	711	34
14	1,158	139
15	1,681	273
16	1,975	410
17	2,140	504
18	546	101
19	33	14
20+	23	2
Male	7,429	1,365
Female	1,323	119
Black	3,593	763
White	4,854	631