Over-Reliance on Electronic Restraint Devices

Share this post:

Over-Reliance on Electronic Restraint Devices

 

Gordon Graham
Category: Corrections

Gordon Graham here with Today’s Tip from Lexipol. Today’s Tip is for my friends in corrections, and it’s about over-relying on electronic restraint devices, especially in a transport or courtroom setting.

Don’t rely solely on the device to bring things under control.

Now, don’t get me wrong, electronic restraint devices can be great tools, and they solve a lot of problems for the good men and women who work in corrections, or in the courts. They’re especially useful in a courtroom setting where a jury cannot view an inmate defendant in traditional restraints during a jury trial. So, apply the electronic restraint device under the inmate’s clothing and there you go. Problem solved, right?

Not so fast folks…

Here’s a great question, how do you know the device is going to have the desired effect on the inmate who is wearing it? You don’t!

That’s my point. Some people are immune to the effects of electronic shocks, whether delivered from an electronic restraint device or a conducted energy device.

That being said, if an inmate breaks bad in the courtroom, or during transport and the device is activated, there’s the possibility that it will have zero effect on him or her.

This means that you need to have a back-up plan ready in case just such an incident occurs. You may have to resort to other force options right away.

Don’t rely solely on the device to bring things under control. You may be shocked when the inmate isn’t! Talk to your partners and fellow staff, and prepare in advance should the device fail, or if it is just plain ineffective.

And that’s Today’s Tip from Lexipol. Gordon Graham signing off.

Related Blog Posts

Subscribe to Today's Tip

Related Posts

Back to Top