Officials See Jump In Restraints At Youth Facility

SABILLASVILLE, Md. (AP) -- Maryland officials are calling on the Victor Cullen Center to cut the number of times it restrains youths at the facility considered the state's most secure facility for young offenders.

The Frederick News-Post reports that the Maryland Juvenile Justice Monitoring Unit is also urging the facility in Frederick County to establish an orientation program aimed at limiting violence and disruptive behavior.

A second-quarter report shows a 35 percent increase in youth-on-youth assaults compared with the same period last year. Meanwhile, the number of restraints increased 26 percent. The report also notes that the center is understaffed.

Unit director Nick Moroney says the facility must ensure staffers are trying every possible intervention in all circumstances. He recommends the facility review surveillance footage to determine when restraints could have been avoided.

(Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)