JACKSON - Mississippi Attorney General Mike Moore says the Justice Department's lawsuit over the state's training school is "senseless."
Moore said the suit that was filed Thursday was unexpected because the state had been working with the Justice Department since July to reach a settlement. "As far as we know we complied with every single thing the Justice Department asked us to do," he said.
Moore said as recently as three weeks ago, state and federal officials were working to decide whether they would settle through a consent decree in the courts or by a letter between the parties.
Moore said the state wanted a letter of agreement, something the Justice Department reached with other states, but federal officials wanted a consent decree.
The Justice Department said it was suing the state of Mississippi for allegedly violating the civil rights of juveniles being held at Oakley Training School near Raymond and Columbia Training School in Columbia.
Assistant U.S. Attorney General Alexander Acosta said abuses included spraying youngsters with pepper spray while in restraints.
He said the investigation found some youths were hog-tied and shackled to poles. That, he said, was along with juveniles who were routinely hit, slapped and shoved.
Acosta said the state has made improvements, but more needs to be done. He said efforts to reach a settlement were unsuccessful.
Oakley houses about 325 boys. Columbia houses about 200 boys and girls.
Among other abuses uncovered: suicidal girls were stripped and placed in solitary confinement in a dark cell with only a drain for a toilet, boys were forced to run with mattresses strapped to their backs and girls who threw up while running were forced to eat their vomit.
Moore said once the Justice Department released its allegations report in July, Mississippi immediately began correcting problems.
The state Department of Human Services, which operates the training schools, on Thursday said it had cooperated with the Justice Department. "It is simply too early to discuss today's motion because the agency has not seen the full motion," DHS spokesman Cory Wofford said in a statement. "However, we would like to assure and reiterate to the public, parents, lawmakers and media that we have been diligently working, making systemic improvements at our facilities."
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