Cause Unnecessary Pain, Injury and Even Death
Vincent J. Moccio
June 9, 2006
The use of the "restraint chair" has proliferated in detention facilities across America in the last ten years. The increased use of such restraint chairs, coupled with inadequate training of and supervision by detention officers in the use the restraint chairs has caused unnecessary pain, injury and even death of the person being restrained.
Since the beginning of 2000, at least four inmates have died in the US after being subdued in a restraint chair -- a metal framed chair in which prisoners are immobilized in four-point restraints securing both arms and legs, with a strap across the chest. In 2001, three prisoners died within the space of three months while confined to these restraint chairs. These cases are the latest in a disturbing increase of restraint chair related deaths that have occurred in prisons and jails nationwide. There are also numerous reports of prisoners being subjected to verbal, physical or mental abuse while in restraint chairs. Moreover, although designed to be used as temporary restraint devices, there are reports of prisoners being inhumanly held in these restraint chairs for long periods of time - even days. Restraint chairs are also improperly used as a way of dealing with mentally ill or suicidal prisoners.
One manufacturer of restraint chairs, Emergency Restraint Chair (“ERC”), claims that the emergency chair restraint is like a padded cell on wheels, that it does not restrict normal breathing and that the restraint chair secures an individual without injury. In fact there appears to be no independent testing as to their safety.
The first restraint chairs were introduced in the U.S.A. over ten years ago. According to an April, 2000 article in the journal The Progressive, between 1994 and 1999 at least 11 people died in detention facilities across the U.S. after being immobilized in restraint chairs, including some who had also been subjected to chemical spray and/or electro-shock.
Although cause of death has sometimes been attributed to other factors (such as drug intake), the use of such restraint chair devices has been found to be a primary or contributory cause of death in a number of cases.
In February, 2002, Amnesty International called for a federal investigation into use of the restraint chair and stated that the restraint chair should be banned for use in detention facilities because they are so easily abused. The group was particularly concerned that the use of restraining chairs is virtually unregulated and the group has called on all authorities to restrict or ban the use of restraint chairs in their facilities. Despite these concerns, an increasing number of United States custody facilities have purchased restraint chairs during the past decade. The restraint chairs are most widely used in local jails, although they are also used in some immigration detention facilities, federal and state prisons and juvenile detention facilities.
Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P. partner, Vincent J. Moccio, is investigating civil lawsuits against facilities that abuse or injury inmates through the use of restraint chairs. If you, or someone you know, has been subjected to such abuse or injury, feel free to contact Vincent J. Moccio at 1.800.553-9910
Los Angeles
Suite 34002049 Century Park
EastLos Angeles, CA 90067-3208
Phone: 310.552.0130
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