WASHINGTON COUNTY — Last week we told you about the state cracking down on a restraint mechanism known as the WRAP system. According to the state, the Yell County Juvenile Detention Center used it to restrain minors at its facility for up to four hours at a time.
Following a report on complaints about the WRAP, Arkansas Department of Human Services has sent a cease and desist letter to Yell County. A state employee who investigated the complaints noted the WRAP caused difficulty breathing, increased anxiety, presents a risk for head injury and violates state standards, which say any placement of juveniles must be therapeutic and not punitive.
Washington County also use a variation of the WRAP. It uses a different helmet and only use the WRAP as a last resort in extreme situations.
Tonight at 10, we’ll talk to Jean Mack at Washington County Juvenile Correction Center who says while the center almost never uses it – it’s an option worth keeping.
But first, we tried out the WRAP – reporter Justine Ward had Washington County Officials put the restraint on her. Click the video to see.
Read last week’s report HERE.
Following a report on complaints about the WRAP, Arkansas Department of Human Services has sent a cease and desist letter to Yell County. A state employee who investigated the complaints noted the WRAP caused difficulty breathing, increased anxiety, presents a risk for head injury and violates state standards, which say any placement of juveniles must be therapeutic and not punitive.
Washington County also use a variation of the WRAP. It uses a different helmet and only use the WRAP as a last resort in extreme situations.
Tonight at 10, we’ll talk to Jean Mack at Washington County Juvenile Correction Center who says while the center almost never uses it – it’s an option worth keeping.
But first, we tried out the WRAP – reporter Justine Ward had Washington County Officials put the restraint on her. Click the video to see.
Read last week’s report HERE.
