State officials are recommending that a type of restraint believed to have caused the death of a 17-year-old last year be banned in agencies that deal with youths and those who are disabled, mentally ill or addicted to drugs.
Gov. Ted Strickland is expected to sign an executive order adopting the recommendations.
The report said the use of restraint should be a last resort and the exception rather than the norm.
It also called for a change in the culture of organizations to reduce the need for physical restraints.
The panel was formed several months after Faith Finley died after being restrained at Parmadale, a center for youths with behavior problems. In December, Parma police investigated Finley's death, which was ruled a homicide, but prosecutors have yet to say whether they plan to file charges.
The recommendations allow so-called "prone containment" at some facilities, under special conditions. State officials say that prone containment is for a brief time, while the restraint is for an extended period.
The Ohio Legal Rights Service, an advocate for those with disabilities, told the panel that it believes prone containment is still a type of face-down restraint and can be dangerous and potentially lethal.
To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:
rdissell@plaind.com, 216-999-4121
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