A new Justice Department report says youth lockups in Texas remain beset by sexual abuse, excessive use of pepper spray and other mistreatment including the prolonged isolation of children in their cells. The scathing reported released Thursday by the Department of Justice accused the state of violating the constitutional rights of hundreds of juveniles in custody. The findings constitute the latest development in decades of abuse scandals and allegations at Texas lockups. The office of Republican Gov. Greg Abbott and the state juvenile justice department did not immediately return emails seeking comment. The governor’s office had said it would cooperate with the federal investigation at the time it was launched.
