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Ohio Is Trying To Reduce Sexual Assaults In Youth Prisons

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Ohio officials plan to spend $200,000 for a consultant to help reduce inmate sexual assaults in the state's youth prisons.

The money will be spent to develop a "zero-tolerance" culture for sexual assault in juvenile prisons in Ohio, which have been labeled among the worst in the nation for the attacks.

The state Controlling Board on Tuesday authorized the Ohio Department of Youth Services to spend $74,930 this year and $124,930 next year to get expert help in complying with the federal Prison Rape Elimination Act.

A report by the Justice Department's Bureau of Justice Statistics ranked Ohio among four states with the highest rates of sexual assaults against juveniles. Gov. John Kasich responded by setting up an emergency task force.