Ohio Statistical Analysis Center

The State Justice Statistics (SJS) Program is designed to maintain and enhance each state's capacity to address criminal justice issues through collection and analysis of data. The SJS Program provides support to each state to coordinate and conduct statistical activities within the state, conduct research to estimate impacts of legislative and policy changes, and serve as a liaison in assisting BJS to gather data from respondent agencies within their states.

The Ohio Statistical Analysis Center (SAC) is placed within the Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services (OCJS). Although housed within the Ohio Department of Public Safety, OCJS is by constitution and statute separate from enforcement, courts, and corrections, providing a neutral criminal justice branch within state government. Under the 2018 SJS program, OCJS will conduct three projects: Two (2) Core Capacity and one (1) Special Emphasis project.

Under the first core capacity project, OCJS will conduct a project that will provide a better understanding of the quality of data that is submitted by local law enforcement agencies in Ohio Incident Based Reporting System (OIBRS). Specifically, examining differences within local law enforcement agency reporting of simple and aggravated assaults to the Ohio Incident-Based Reporting System. The intent of this project is to inform the quality of data submitted to the state’s IBR system and identify technical assistance/training needs for law enforcement agencies.

Under the second core capacity project, OCJS will increase law enforcement access to statistical data by developing monthly crime reports for law enforcement. Currently, Ohio law enforcement agencies are severely restricted in analyzing crime data that help them implement policies and procedures that reduce the frequency and severity of crime. OCJS will develop sample monthly crime reports with hot spot maps, crime forecasts and data about total monthly crime counts, weapon usage, and other relevant information. Once complete, the OCJS will recruit law enforcement agencies to provide feedback about the sample reports. Upon completion of the automation process, the Ohio SAC will begin distributing monthly crime reports to agencies in Ohio that provide monthly data submissions to OIBRS. Feedback from these agencies will be used to further improve the quality of the monthly crime reports.

Under the Special Emphasis project, OCJS will collaborate with the Ohio Criminal Sentencing Commission, an Affiliated Office of the Supreme Court of Ohio, to move Ohio municipal and common pleas courts toward better and more comprehensive data collection on bail and pretrial services. The SAC will carry out the following activities:

1) Assess the quality of local court data and examine the extent to which these records can support analysis of bail and pretrial services;

2) Make recommendations regarding data collection based on local needs and the standards identified as most critical in assessing outcome and performance measures for the bail and pretrial services field, and their related court functions; and

3) To work with identified courts on early implementation of these recommendations.

OCJS will provide BJS with a report detailing recommendations and implementation plans based on the work to be conducted.

(CA/NCF)