The use of pepper spray in federal corrections has tripled over the past few years according to the newly released annual report from the office of the Correctional Investigator Howard Sapers.
The report shows that overall in 61-percent of use of force incidents in 2015-2016 an inflammatory agent was used. Sapers says that because most of these incidents are spontaneous that means there’s usually no video.
“I conclude that the current use of force review and control framework for chemical and inflammatory agents is not sufficient or adquate to ensure their reasonable and proportionate use in federal prisons,” says Sapers.
Sapers also says the use of the agents in federal prisons as a way to get inmates to comply has become too routine.
“An institutional environment that relies on coercive measures to control or to induce compliance is ultimately less safe for both inmates and staff,” he says.
The Corrections Service will be reviewing the use of pepper spray by front line staff.
