Pepper Spray Controversy Heats Up, Again

The Texas Youth Commission has received more media attention recently as the first lawsuit was filed challenging the recent freedom granted to authorities to pepper spray juveniles in lockup. Two groups are representing six youths, three of which have mental disabilities, that have been sprayed.

The Youth Commission has been under fire since August when it passed a directive which allowed the use of pepper spray as a first means of keeping unruly youths under control. This has turned out to be a controversial change from the previous policy which required that the spray only be used as a last resort and after physical restraints, and no child with mental or emotional impairments or other medical issues could be sprayed.

Since becoming a first means of order, the use of pepper spray has naturally risen, but many people are upset because the rate of use is soaring. It is thought that youths with mental disabilities will be unfairly targeted for their tendency to misbehave. Currently, the policy remains in place with senior directors defending their authority to make such a policy change.

This is an interesting issue because it concerns the allowed powers of the State, a topic where ideologies typically clash. It might be important to follow this issue because it could give future indications on which direction Texas will favor when considering allowable government control.

For more details, visit the article at statesman.com