The legislature appears to be taking steps to ramp up activities of the Correctional Institution Inspection Committee , which has only met sporadically in recent years and previously was the subject of intense debate regarding its oversight duties.
A previous capital budget has given the Department of Youth Services a jumpstart on testing the "small is better" approach.
Gov. Mike DeWine is pursuing several different types of disaster relief which could bring financial relief to communities affected by March's severe weather.
A state investment of $67.5 million to rehabilitate dozens of historic buildings is expected to leverage $732 million in private investment, Gov. Mike DeWine announced this week.
Department of Youth Services Director Amy Ast blamed crippling staffing shortages for the degree of gang violence at youth correctional facilities.
The committee heard a report from Department of Youth Services Director Amy Ast, who responded to a recent USA Today investigative report examining violence in the state's youth facilities. (See separate story)
A group formed to undergo a holistic review of the juvenile justice system began its work this week with the chair of the group describing its charge as "daunting."
The Department of Youth Services is navigating "unprecedented times," in the words of Director Amy Ast.