BEDFORD, OH — As reported by Cleveland 19 News, the State of Ohio has purchased a 79,000-square-foot office building in Bedford for $4.8 million, with plans to transform it into a modern juvenile detention facility. This initiative aligns with recommendations from a task force assembled by Governor Mike DeWine to reform juvenile justice across the state.
The facility will replace the aging Cuyahoga Hills Juvenile Correctional Facility in Highland Hills, adhering to the task force’s call for smaller, rehabilitation-focused detention centers. Governor DeWine previously announced that the 180-bed Cuyahoga Hills site would be replaced with four smaller 36-bed facilities, each featuring specialized housing units.
The new Bedford site will house two 36-bed centers. Its location was chosen for accessibility to public transportation and its natural, wooded surroundings, which are believed to foster a therapeutic environment for rehabilitation.
The Ohio Department of Youth Services has been working on this plan for over two years, with an anticipated opening in 2026 or 2027. Bedford City Council members and the mayor have been approached for comment on the project.
