Juvenile Justice giving state employees lie-detector tests

AUGUSTA - The Department of Juvenile Justice has given lie-detector tests to two workers at its youth jail in Augusta, saying it wants to determine whether they have violated state rules. <br> <br> But a union that represents state workers says the department is using the lie-detector tests to harass employees and to find out if they have spoken to reporters about problems at the jail. <br> <br> An attorney for the Service Employees International Union sent a letter to the department accusing officials of using lie-detector tests to retaliate against employees who speak out on conditions at the Augusta Youth Development Campus. <br> <br> Ralph Williams, Local 1985 president, says the department wants to ``harass and intimidate.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Juvenile Justice spokeswoman Jaci Vickers says the department got the letter and will investigate. <br> <br> Vickers say the department has a right to administer lie-detector tests to staff as a way of investigating policy violations. She added that several investigations are under way, one regarding the unauthorized release of medical information. <br> <br> Some guards and nurses at the Augusta center have complained about unfair work conditions for black employees, policy violations and allegations of rape and abuse.