The Legal Aid Society, in a recently issued letter, called on New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo and New York State Office of Children and Families (OCFS) Commissioner Sheila Poole to end the use of “prone” or face-down restraints on children living in Residential Treatment Centers (RTCs), reports the Chronicle For Social Change. These restraints are prohibited in virtually every other residential child care facility in NYS because they are known to risk death or serious harm.

“These restraints are prohibited in virtually every other residential child care facility in New York state because they are known to risk death or serious harm. This dangerous practice must be ended now,” said Dawne Mitchell, Attorney-in-Charge of the Juvenile Rights Practice at The Legal Aid Society.