Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland today signed an executive order that bans prone restraint across all state systems and sets specific policies for other types of physical restraints.

“Some state employees’ job duties require them to handle situations that may pose potential harm to themselves and others, and may require the employee to use a physical restraint,” Strickland said. “It is critical that the state ensure the safety of both the state employee and those in the care of the state. This executive order establishes the critical policies that make sure restraint is used properly, by a trained individual, and only as a last resort.”

This policy is the result of a seven-agency work group that studied the use of physical restraint when conducting the responsibilities of the respective agencies.

The executive order bans the use of prone restraint, which involves the restraint of an individual in a face-down position for an extended period of time.  Additionally, the executive order sets specific requirements and techniques for the use of transition hold and limits the use of other types of physical restraints.

Also creates the Ohio Policy Committee on Restraint and Seclution.

Click here to download a copy of Executive Order 2009-13S.