Louisiana has Fired 30 Juvenile Prison Guards in past 8 Months - Abusing Inmates

State officials announced Wednesday 30 juvenile prison guards have been fired for physically abusing inmates. Officials said the guards are from Jetson Correctional in Baton Rouge, Bridge City and Swanson Correctional Facility in Monroe. Thirty guards have been fired from three juvenile correctional facilities around the state in an effort to end physical abuse of inmates.  Prison officials said the abuse is a problem that has been on the rise over the last few years. The abuse resulted in everything from bruises to broken bones, officials said. "We've trained our staff to use force appropriately," said Simon Gonsoulin of Louisiana Youth Development. "There are times of course when using force is an appropriate approach to handling a situation." Officials with the Department of Corrections said that on at least 30 occasions the use of force was inappropriate. As a result of the incidents, DOC has fired 30 guards from the three state facilities in the last eight months. Attorney Cleo Fields said he is working with several victims who were inmates at Jetson, and he is planning to file lawsuits for the abuses. [more ]