There is a big case going on right now in Texas courts regarding a policy implemented by the Texas Youth Commission that expanded the use of pepper spray to restrain youths in juvenile detention lockups. The TYC, per an October settlement in court, agreed to limit the use of pepper spray when detaining juveniles, and apparently has not complied. Each of the plaintiffs against the TYC has a mental illness or serious emotional disability, and one suffered skin burns after being sprayed three times with pepper spray to prevent him from harming himself. According to TYC officials, the pepper spray is supposed to be used in lieu of physical restraint. However, the extensive use has been seen to cause worse physical damage than actual restraint of the juveniles.
I understand the need for some sort of protection for the guards and the children who are hurting themselves or others, but I'm not sure that an expanded use of pepper spray to do so is a good idea. Not only is it painful, but it causes serious burns and it seems that TYC guards are misusing it. I actually feel that pepper spray should be used as a last resort to physical restraint. At least if they are restrained, it is not causing serious physical damage and they aren't able to hurt themselves or others. Neither method is perfect and unfortunately is still has adverse effects, but I would think the guards would want to cause the least amount of physical damage possible. Pepper spray does not physically restrain them and as seen from the child who suffered burns because he was repeatedly trying to hurt himself, it obviously does not do the job it was meant to. I can understand using pepper spray if the situation is getting out of hand or as a least resort for the guards, but it should not be used as a front line against the juveniles. Although they are incarcerated, they are still children and youths and should be treated as such.
Whats worse, is that the courts have already made their decision on the pepper spray policy and yet the TYC did not comply after it had promised to do so. There needs to be some kind of way to enforce this policy among TYC juvenile detention centers. If you would like to get more information about what is going on with the pepper spray use in Texas detention centers, visit http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/campaign/entries/2007/11/16/tyc_pepper_spra.html
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4 comments:
Great job on bringing this topic of discussion to the table! I too, believe that it is very inappropriate to use pepper spray randomly on children, even if they are being held in a juvenile detention center. When adults treat children with disrespect, it leads to deeper mental problems, and more serious acts of rebellion to authority. I don't doubt that they were being treated similarly at home, which in turn lead them to act outrageously and landed them an extended stay in juvenile detention. Something must be done to help these children, even if they are a danger to others. Pepper spray is not the answer, and I don't know if there is one, but maybe some good old fashion love is a start.
I thought this was an interesting topic. I agree with you that pepper spray should be like a last resort for these juveniles. I am glad that there is a rule about controlling the use of it. It does seem like its kind of a hard thing to regulate, but I think it should be more closely regulated. Your article was very good, and obvioulsy caught my eye!
After reading the Texas Youth Commission's Use of Pepper Spray, i think its wrong to use pepper spray on children. I understand the need for some sort of protection for the guards and the children who are hurting themselves or others, but I'm not sure that an expanded use of pepper spray to do so is a good idea. Not only is it painful, but it causes serious burns and it seems that TYC guards are misusing it. I actually feel that pepper spray should be used as a last resort to physical restraint.I can understand using pepper spray if the situation is getting out of hand or as a least resort for the guards, but it should not be used as a front line against the juveniles. Although they are incarcerated, they are still children and youths and should be treated as such.
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