COLUMBUS, Ohio -- A federal judge in Ohio has approved a settlement with the U.S. Justice Department that promises a dramatic decrease in the use of stun guns at a county jail.
The county that includes Columbus made the deal with the federal government last month after a lawsuit alleged that jailers routinely used stun guns on inmates who pose no threat, including some who are disabled, pregnant or under the influence of drugs and alcohol.
Besides cutting down use of the devices, Franklin County must stop using stun guns in almost all cases on inmates who are handcuffed or otherwise restrained.
The Columbus Dispatch reports U.S. District Judge Edmund Sargus signed off on the agreement Thursday because it had drawn no opposition.
Read more at DaytonDailyNews.com.