PerryDaily.com
COLUMBUS, Ohio — State Senator Tim Schaffer (R–Lancaster)recently gave sponsor testimony in the Senate Criminal Justice Committee in support of Senate Bill 147, which is authored by Schaffer and Senator Bob Peterson (R-Sabina) to help provide safeguards for correctional officers who are assaulted in youth correctional facilities.
Under current law, juveniles who assault officers while serving a sentence are released at the completion of their original sentence and then later tried for assault charges. The bill will give the legal system the ability to add a consecutive sentence onto the time that juveniles are serving. Proponents argue that the bill will deter future assaults and make the legal system more efficient.
Senator Schaffer says the idea for the bill came about after hearing graphic stories of correctional officers being attacked in Ohio’s youth correctional facilities. “Officers in adult correctional facilities have more freedom to defend themselves when compared to those working in youth facilities” Schaffer said. “This change will create a safer environment for detainees and correctional officers by reducing incidences of violence”.
Full story: Schaffer introduces legislation to protect corrections officers