Ohio youth facility sued agrees to pay $400K

COLUMBUS (AP) — A juvenile-detention facility in Ohio has agreed to pay about $400,000 and make policy changes to settle a 2010 class-action lawsuit that alleged harsh treatment, including inmates being regularly locked up for 23 hours a day and denied medical care and unrestrained recreation time.

The Washington County Juvenile Court in Marietta and plaintiffs representing affected inmates asked a federal judge today to approve the settlement.

Court documents show individual inmates would receive from $40 to more than $11,000 for various forms of treatment, such as being held in cells for more than 24 hours without being released for school classes, being required to wear shackles during recreation or school time and being placed in a suicide gown without a mental health assessment.

Al Gerhardstein, who represents inmates, said he’s hopeful payments can start early next year and commended the county for addressing concerns promptly and working to remedy problems at the center.