Juvenile offenders in adult facilities are also at higher risk of physical and sexual abuse. And there have been numerous cases of murders and suicides of juveniles in adult facilities. International standards require authorities to avoid depriving children of their liberty unless there is no appropriate alternative. Incarceration has inherent risks to the physical and mental integrity of children and may expose them to negative influences rather than promoting their rehabilitation. A 1998 investigation by the US Department of Justice of the juvenile section of Davies County Detention Center in Kentucky found that staff regularly used stun guns and pepper spray to control uncooperative youth.
Children also report being hit by staff.