Cincinnati, Ohio – The recent release of a teenager on parole who later allegedly committed a double homicide and then died by suicide has raised concerns about the Ohio Department of Youth Services’ decision-making process. Jorenzo Phillips, 19, left a juvenile prison in November 2022 and was under supervised parole until November 2023. Unfortunately, days after his release, Phillips was suspected of shooting and killing two LGBTQ individuals in Toledo.
The tragic events have sparked criticism from Jim Darnell, a former superintendent of a youth prison near Massillon, who believes that the Ohio Department of Youth Services should have kept Phillips in custody for a longer period rather than releasing him on parole. Darnell argues that top administrators failed to act on potential warning signs, such as Phillips’ involvement in gang activity.
Amiri Reid and Kejuan Richardson, both 21 years old, were found shot inside a crashed vehicle in Toledo, with Reid being a Black transgender woman and Richardson a Black gender non-conforming gay man. Authorities issued a warrant for Phillips’ arrest in connection with the murders, leading to a statewide manhunt that ended with his suicide in Cincinnati.
Toledo police are still investigating the deaths as the community grapples with the loss of three young lives. Darnell, in a letter to legislators and media outlets, highlighted the need for accountability and prevention of such tragedies in the future.
Phillips’ criminal history includes a robbery case in June 2018, which led to his incarceration in the youth prison system. Despite facing weapons charges and being sentenced to probation in August and October, respectively, the system’s shortcomings in addressing his issues have come under scrutiny.
The Ohio Department of Youth Services has faced ongoing challenges, including violent clashes, staff shortages, and inhumane conditions within its facilities. The state has initiated reforms following an investigative report into youth prisons and detention centers, signaling a step towards addressing systemic issues and improving the rehabilitation and care of young offenders.