Ohio Shouldn't Put Kids Under Age 14 in Prisons, Report Says

A new report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation found that Ohio is one of only two states that still allow children under the age of 14 to be sentenced to prison.

The report found that imprisoning children is harmful to their development and can lead to long-term problems, including mental health issues, substance abuse, and recidivism.

The report recommends that Ohio raise the minimum age of criminal responsibility to 14, which would bring the state in line with most other states in the country.

The report also recommends that Ohio invest in alternatives to incarceration for children, such as community-based programs and diversion programs.

These programs have been shown to be more effective at reducing recidivism and improving outcomes for children.

• The report's findings are consistent with a growing body of research that shows that imprisoning children is harmful and ineffective.
• A study by the National Council on Crime and Delinquency found that children who are incarcerated are more likely to experience mental health problems, substance abuse, and recidivism than children who are not incarcerated.
• Another study by the Vera Institute of Justice found that community-based programs are more effective at reducing recidivism and improving outcomes for children than incarceration.

Ohio's lawmakers should take action to raise the minimum age of criminal responsibility to 14 and invest in alternatives to incarceration for children.

Doing so would help to ensure that children in Ohio have a fair chance to succeed in life.