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Controlling Board approves full replacement plan for Cuyahoga Hills juvenile correctional facility
Summary
The Controlling Board approved funding for a full replacement of the Cuyahoga Hills Juvenile Correctional Facility to move from open dorms to smaller, therapeutic units. Department of Youth Services officials said the change follows Governor DeWine's Juvenile Justice Working Group recommendations and aims to improve staff and youth safety.
The State Controlling Board approved a Department of Youth Services request to replace the Cuyahoga Hills Juvenile Correctional Facility and move to smaller, more therapeutic housing units.
Anna Garber, chief fiscal officer for the Department of Youth Services, told the board the current facility — built in the 1960s with open dorm-style housing — is not adequate for the higher‑needs youth now served. Garber said the project follows national best practices and Governor DeWine's Juvenile Justice Working Group recommendations to transition to smaller facilities that improve sight lines, enable better separation of youth when incidents occur, and support staff safety.
Representative Sweeney praised the project and asked how this work fits into a broader timeline for replacing the state's three large juvenile facilities. DYS staff said this is the first of three large-scale replacements (Cuyahoga, Pickaway, Stark) and that the department will seek future General Assembly budget support for the remaining two.
The item was approved without objection.
