COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - The Latest on a proposed merger of the back-office operations of Ohio’s adult and youth prison systems (all times local):
3:30 p.m.
The Ohio prisons system says a proposed merging of the state’s adult and youth prison agencies will ultimately save about $260,000 a year.
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That savings will come from shared costs like parking and computer contracts despite overall higher rent.
The Department of Rehabilitation and Correction and the Department of Youth Services asked a state spending panel Monday for $1.8 million for rent on shared headquarters beginning next year. The agencies now pay a combined annual rent of $1.7 million, which would jump to $2.4 million.
Sen. Jay Hottinger is a Republican who sits on the state Controlling Board. He said he’s supportive of the merger after being assured it’s not a complete combining of the two agencies.
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12:15 a.m.
Ohio’s adult and youth prison services agencies say they’re merging back-office functions like payroll to improve efficiency and boost collaboration.
The planned merger means the agencies will move to a single headquarters in Columbus.
The Department of Rehabilitation and Correction and the Department of Youth Services asked a state spending panel Monday for $1.8 million for rent beginning next year.
The rent the agencies pay then increases considerably, which is drawing criticism from a youth advocate group.
The agencies now pay a combined annual rent of $1.7 million, which would jump to $2.4 million.
The Juvenile Justice Coalition says the extra money could pay for programs to decrease the number of kids entering the justice system.
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