NCJ Number
207747
Journal
Journal for Juvenile Justice and Detention Services Volume: 18 Issue: 1-2 Dated: Fall 2003 Pages: 79-92
Date Published
2003
Length
14 pages
Annotation
This article describes the reform efforts of the Lucas County (Ohio) Juvenile Court from late 1999 through 2004.
Abstract
In 1999, Lucas County Juvenile Court was awarded a Juvenile Accountability Incentive Block (JAIB) grant. The court used the grant money to hire a team of experts to complete a comprehensive review of the court’s detention system. The resulting recommendations addressed the internal workings and operation of the detention center, including its programming, training, staffing, policies, and living conditions, and also addressed the detention intake process and detention alternatives. These recommendations were embraced by the Lucas County Juvenile Court, which has made great improvements since undertaking the reform efforts in 1999. The culture and the living conditions of the detention center have dramatically improved; programming has been improved; the use of isolation has been reduced; staff morale is up; and staffing ratios exceed State guidelines. The court’s commitment to change is underscored as one of the driving forces behind the success of the reform efforts, as well as the court’s attention to training and quality improvement. Other changes include a control on the numbers of youth held in detention, only the most serious cases involve detainment, and the development of various detention alternatives based on the seriousness of the case. The implementation of multi-level administrative practices is heralded as one of the most innovative steps in the Lucas County reform effort. Lessons learned from the reform effort are enumerated and include a commitment to continuous reform review and reform. Endnotes, table