Despite Reform, Violence Rises Among Youths at Juvenile Lockups

       On Feb. 12, 2012 the Texas Tribune published an article titled Despite Reform, Violence Rises among Youths at Juvenile Lockups. It stated that at Giddings Facility, one of six secure juvenile correctional institutions in Texas, there has been quite a substantial amount of youth-on-youth violence. Since 2007, the rate of confirmed assaults more than tripled. However, the bigger problem back then was the staff physically and sexually abusing the minors. Funny how the reforms pass, that issue dies down, but then the youth-on-youth aggressiveness more than triples. I feel like the facility is using this issue to cover up the background information- the sexual and physical assaults.  
        Despite the minor-to-minor confrontations, the officers most requested technique is using pepper spray instead of physical force to stop the fights. As an adult, reinforcing authority by using physical force is a better tactic than spraying a harmful chemical that irritates the eyes- in the circumstances that these officers are in. 
       Although replacement techniques are underway, such as rooms where minors can vent and get their aggression out , my question is why is the facility now trying to make drastic changes to their environment when these problem have been occurring since 2007? They are heading in the right direction, but I feel like the officers will always be one of the top reasons why the juvenile's act in chaotic ways. There should be surveys, programs made where these minors can express the way they are treated by the adults- the officers.