Pendleton, IN -  Indiana Department of Corrections Commissioner J. David Donahue says what correctional officials called a scuffle was proven to be an all-out fight by a surveillance tape, and the incident is now forcing safety changes.

The video shows a handcuffed and shackled teen slamming a staffer at Pendleton Youth Facility. Other teens in irons were pinned down but still in the fight. Another seemed to refuse orders and was forced into a chair. In another corner there was chaos as a violent teen slammed into a  wall of staff.

"There are a tougher group of inmates in there then has ever been there before," said Madison County Prosecutor Rodney Cummings, who witnessed the melee.

Cummings had just wrapped up an inspirational talk in the chapel when about 30 troubled teens lost control.

"Headbutting other kids, spitting on people," said Cummings.

He also witnessed profanity and body slams, as well as fleeing from officers trying to stop them.

Cummings said the incident "displays the level of violence and lack of civility they have and what a challenge staff and guards at the facility have to deal with."

The prosecutor was so concerned he got a court order to see the video. On Thursday the DOC Commissioner released it.

"That was a mistake on our part," said DOC Commissioner Donahue, referring to the circumstances that led to the melee. "We shouldn't have placed those kids from the control unit in restrictive applications such as handcuffs and leg irons. They were appropriately restrained for their behavior."

But those higher-risk, more violent prisoners, he said, should not have been in the chapel with the other less threatening prisoners in those numbers. Most of those others seemed to walk away peacefully. There will be no more such joint gatherings.

"The population is changing at the Pendleton Youth Correctional Facility. It is a tougher population," Donahue said.

The commissioner is also looking at more secured areas to house the aggressive population and video cameras in all their cells to record violations.  He says it's about the safety of staff and students.