Cleveland Plain Dealer – Delinquent: Alternatives to ODYS, Like Lighthouse, Use Therapy to Rehabilitate Youth

MAY 24, 2024 — Four years ago, Carter was on a fast track to prison or death. He was failing in school and missing curfew. He stole money from siblings. He’d sneak out for days, running with the Heartless Felons gang.

Then, at 16, Carter led police on a high-speed chase reaching 110 mph in a stolen car. He and two passengers were arrested; police confiscated three loaded firearms.

Typically, juveniles sentenced to the ODYS serve time at one of the state’s three primary prisons – Cuyahoga Hills, Indian River or Circleville Juvenile Correctional Facility – all of which have come under greater scrutiny in the past year for riots and problems that many say traumatize youth.

Not long into his sentence, though, Carter’s judge allowed him to transfer to one of ODYS’ three community-based alternatives, which put greater focus on treatment rather than incarceration. Collectively, about 15% of youth committed to ODYS reside at one of the alternative facilities.

Carter went to Lighthouse Youth Center at Paint Creek, a residential treatment facility near Chillicothe.

Everything changed after Carter arrived at Lighthouse Youth Center at Paint Creek. Click here to read the entire article.