Legcuffs are physical restraints used on the ankles of a person to allow walking only with a restricted stride and to prevent running and effective physical resistance.[1] Frequently used alternative terms are leg cuffs, (leg/ankle) shackles, footcuffs, fetters[2] or leg irons. The term "fetter" shares a root with the word "foot".
The earliest fetters found in archaeological excavations date from the prehistoric age and are mostly of the puzzle lock type.[clarification needed] Fetters are also referenced in ancient times in the Bible (2 Samuel 3:34, Job 36:13, Psalm 149:8)
A variety of restraint types already existed in Roman times. Some early versions of cup lock shackles existed at this time. These were widely used in medieval times, but their use declined when mass production made the manufacture of locks built into restraints affordable.
Simple fetter types continue to be used,[timeframe?] like puzzle lock shackles as the typical slave iron, or irons riveted shut for prisoners being transported to overseas prison camps.
The first built-in locks often were of a simple screw-type, but soon developed into the "Darby" type. In Europe these continued to be used into the middle of the 20th century, whereas in the U.S. from the late 19th century onwards many new designs were invented and produced before handcuffs and leg irons of the Peerless type became the standard several decades ago.[when?]
One type of shackle, called an "Oregon Boot" or "Gardner Shackle", was patented in 1866 by the warden of the Oregon State Penitentiary, J. C. Gardner. The shackle consisted of an iron band supported by braces which went down and under the prisoner's foot. The shackle's weight hobbled the prisoner's movements to prevent escape, and long-term use would cause severe injury to the wearer. Use of this type of shackle was ended by the mid-20th century.[4]
Controversial useEdit
In comparison to handcuffs, the wearing of leg irons may be found less restrictive. Thus, the prison authorities in several countries deem their long-term use acceptable. To avoid condoning this controversial practice, the countries of the European Union have banned exporting leg irons into non-EU countries.[5][6] The countries that continue to make prisoners wear fetters long-term now tend to manufacture their own restraints.
GalleryEdit
Cup lock shackle with no built-in lock
Standard type legcuffs made in Taiwan
Heavy legcuffs from China, including a metal plate to protect the keyhole from collecting dust or being tampered with
^Reynolds, Marylee. . Corrections Today. Gale group. Archived from the original on May 21, 2011. Retrieved October 1, 2013.
^"DOC Operations Division: Prison A Brief History of the Oregon Boot". www.oregon.gov. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
^Steve Wright (March 13, 2003). "Civilising the torture trade". The Guardian.
^"COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 1236/2005". June 27, 2005. concerning trade in certain goods which could be used for capital punishment, torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment
October 21, 2023
legcuffs, this, article, about, physical, fetters, used, restraints, other, uses, fetter, disambiguation, irons, redirects, here, sailing, term, point, sail, zone, physical, restraints, used, ankles, person, allow, walking, only, with, restricted, stride, prev. This article is about physical fetters used as restraints For other uses see Fetter disambiguation In irons redirects here For the sailing term see Point of sail No go zone Legcuffs are physical restraints used on the ankles of a person to allow walking only with a restricted stride and to prevent running and effective physical resistance 1 Frequently used alternative terms are leg cuffs leg ankle shackles footcuffs fetters 2 or leg irons The term fetter shares a root with the word foot Chain gang street sweepers 1909Shackles are typically used on prisoners and slaves Leg shackles also are used for chain gangs to keep them together 3 Metaphorically a fetter may be anything that restricts or restrains in any way hence the word unfettered Contents 1 History 2 Controversial use 3 Gallery 4 See also 5 ReferencesHistory Edit nbsp Wooden legcuff at a museum Sri LankaThe earliest fetters found in archaeological excavations date from the prehistoric age and are mostly of the puzzle lock type clarification needed Fetters are also referenced in ancient times in the Bible 2 Samuel 3 34 Job 36 13 Psalm 149 8 A variety of restraint types already existed in Roman times Some early versions of cup lock shackles existed at this time These were widely used in medieval times but their use declined when mass production made the manufacture of locks built into restraints affordable Simple fetter types continue to be used timeframe like puzzle lock shackles as the typical slave iron or irons riveted shut for prisoners being transported to overseas prison camps The first built in locks often were of a simple screw type but soon developed into the Darby type In Europe these continued to be used into the middle of the 20th century whereas in the U S from the late 19th century onwards many new designs were invented and produced before handcuffs and leg irons of the Peerless type became the standard several decades ago when One type of shackle called an Oregon Boot or Gardner Shackle was patented in 1866 by the warden of the Oregon State Penitentiary J C Gardner The shackle consisted of an iron band supported by braces which went down and under the prisoner s foot The shackle s weight hobbled the prisoner s movements to prevent escape and long term use would cause severe injury to the wearer Use of this type of shackle was ended by the mid 20th century 4 Controversial use EditIn comparison to handcuffs the wearing of leg irons may be found less restrictive Thus the prison authorities in several countries deem their long term use acceptable To avoid condoning this controversial practice the countries of the European Union have banned exporting leg irons into non EU countries 5 6 The countries that continue to make prisoners wear fetters long term now tend to manufacture their own restraints Gallery Edit nbsp Cup lock shackle with no built in lock nbsp Standard type legcuffs made in Taiwan nbsp Heavy legcuffs from China including a metal plate to protect the keyhole from collecting dust or being tampered withSee also EditBall and chain Bilboes Electronic tagging Handcuffs Hobble device ThumbcuffsReferences Edit Select Your Library Credo Reference Chisholm Hugh ed 1911 Fetters and Handcuffs Encyclopaedia Britannica Vol 10 11th ed Cambridge University Press p 296 Reynolds Marylee Back on the Chain Gang Corrections Today Gale group Archived from the original on May 21 2011 Retrieved October 1 2013 DOC Operations Division Prison A Brief History of the Oregon Boot www oregon gov Retrieved December 10 2017 Steve Wright March 13 2003 Civilising the torture trade The Guardian COUNCIL REGULATION EC No 1236 2005 June 27 2005 concerning trade in certain goods which could be used for capital punishment torture or other cruel inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Legcuffs amp oldid 1129220219, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
