HUTCHINSON, Kan. (AP) - A central Kansas sheriff plans to buy less lethal ammunition to subdue jail prisoners because of a sharp increase in the number of confrontations between inmates and correctional officers.
Reno County Sheriff Randy Henderson said his deputies have to use force to restrain inmates at the jail two or three times a week, compared to almost never a few years ago, The Hutchinson News reported (https://bit.ly/1j1vb8E ). He said there are two reasons for the increase in confrontations. One is that the jail does its best not to ship out inmates who cause staff more issues than most and the other is because the jail houses more prisoners with mental health issues.
Henderson told county commissioners earlier this week his office would soon buy less lethal ammunition that would allow deputies to restrain prisoners from a distance, rather than using hands-on measures. He said safety to both the deputies and inmates is paramount.
“So instead of us going in there and being aggressive, we can get them from the outside of the cell,” he said.
Henderson said the ammo likely wouldn’t start being used in the jail for at least another six months.
The office decided to purchase less lethal ammo after two deputies learned about the technique at a conference.
The new less lethal ammo can be shot from a range of 1 to 25 yards away without causing injury to the prisoner. Henderson said two deputies per shift would be trained in using the ammo.
“There’s no damage done. Yes, you get a welt and you start following commands,” he said.
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Information from: The Hutchinson (Kan.) News, https://www.hutchnews.com
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