Ten Florida inmates sued the state Department of Corrections and its embattled former Secretary James Crosby on Monday, saying they were severely burned when officers at Florida State Prison sprayed them with chemicals.

The suit filed in federal court in Jacksonville names 28 current and former Florida DOC employees, including Crosby, who was fired last week by Gov. Jeb Bush. Also named were current Florida State Prison Warden Michael Rathmann and former Regional Director Allen Clark, who resigned last fall amid allegations of misconduct.

The suit contends the inmates suffered severe chemical burns, asthma attacks and psychological distress related to mental illness because of the use of chemical agents, such as tear gas and pepper spray. It alleges the prison system uses chemical agents "as instruments of punishment and torture and in an excessive and unlawful manner against inmates at Florida State Prison."

Robby Cunningham, a DOC spokesman, would not comment on the allegations because they involve pending litigation. The use of chemical agents began in 1999 when Crosby was the warden at Florida State Prison and continues under Rathmann, the suit alleges. According to the suit, chemical agents were used against prisoners 238 times in 2000; 285 times in 2001; 447 in 2002; 611 times in 2003; and 277 times in 2004.

The prisoners are seeking an injunction to prevent the DOC from abusing inmates with chemical agents. The inmates also are seeking monetary and punitive damages from the DOC and its employees.