Pepper spray in Ohio juvenile lockups unwarranted


November 30, 2011 at 11:54a.m.

Pepper spray in Ohio juvenile lockups unwarranted

COLUMBUS

A report is criticizing Ohio’s use of pepper spray to quell disturbances in state juvenile detention facilities.

The 16-page analysis of 11 cases where youth were subjected to the spray found no instances where the use was justified.

The report by a court-appointed monitoring team said pepper spray was used in cases where youth were handcuffed or locked securely in their rooms.

The report filed Monday in federal court in Columbus also said none of the juveniles who were sprayed was armed, barricaded or physically violent.

The monitoring team reviewed incidents in September in which the Department of Youth Services asked adult prison guards to help move youth identified as gang leaders.

A Youth Services spokeswoman did not immediately comment Wednesday.