The state corrections department plans to test the use of tasers in four state prisons.
The pilot program is intended to see if the electro-shock devices can be effective when dealing with unruly and uncooperative prison inmates.
Andy Potter is the vice president of the state prison guards union. He says the union has wanted to arm guards with tasers for years.
Potter says "being able to utilize them when an inmate is being disruptive just makes sense.”
The American Civil Liberties Union is raising some concerns about the plan. The ACLU says the corrections department should implement clear guidelines for the use of tasers so that they are not misused.
Tasers are used by many law enforcement agencies, but their use has been criticized by groups who point to incidents of abuse and even death.
