The Polk County Sheriff’s Office, its sheriff and its medical provider have been exonerated in a prisoner mistreatment case.

Chanda Hughes, on behalf of minors affected, sued the three parties in 2012 for alleged mistreatment, including harsh conditions and a lack of rehabilitation for juveniles incarcerated with adults at the county jail in Bartow. The plaintiffs claimed minors’ rights were violated due to alleged lockdowns, lack of adult supervision and pepper spray use.