The Greater CLE Youth Justice Collective, made up of the ACLU of Ohio, Children’s Law Center, and the Schubert Center for Child Studies at Case Western Reserve University, are partnering to improve the lives and outcomes for Cuyahoga County youth who are in or are at risk of entering the criminal legal system. Cuyahoga County sends more children to the adult court system than any of Ohio’s 88 counties – this is referred to as a “bindover.” In 2021, Cuyahoga County sent 4x more children to adult court than the next highest county, Hamilton, which includes Cincinnati.
Racial disparities exist at every stage of our criminal legal system process - from over policing in communities of color to who ends up in our prisons. Black Ohioans make up 17% of our statewide population. Yet, as of September 2024, Black youth comprised 72% of Ohio's youth prison population. It is critical that Ohio prioritizes culturally responsive interventions.
We believe all young people have the capacity to change and realize their fullest potential. Children and youth who are in or at-risk of becoming involved in the juvenile court system should be provided with effective prevention, treatment and care that is provided through authentic relational supports. Rather than responding to youth crime with outdated and ineffective “tough-on-crime” approaches that criminalize adolescence, our public leaders -- city, county and court -- must work in partnership to ensure our youth are given ample opportunities to heal from their own trauma and be a positive part of our community through meaningful connections.
Our vision:
- Promote diversion programs that reduce the number of children entering the Cuyahoga County Detention Center, while ensuring that detained youth have access to robust programing, education, and rehabilitation services.
- Collaborate with City and County officials to encourage investments in youth safety and restorative justice -- through community-based alternatives.
- Engage Cleveland youth in challenging harmful, untrue public discourse (e.g., narratives that incarceration and adultification of children are solutions to public safety). Emphasize the value of treating all children as they are still developing and in need of care, with a racial justice focus.
Highlights:
- Greater CLE Youth Justice Collective Video Series on Delinquent
- Blog Post: Advocates Respond to New Reporting On Cleveland Area Youth Justice Matters
- Blog Post: When Does Childhood End?
For More Information:
