POLICY BRIEF What is electric shock equipment? Some types of stun devices deliver an electric shock through direct contact with the human body. They are designed to achieve compliance through pain. These devices include body-worn electric shock equipment, commonly referred to as stun belts, stun cuffs or stun sleeves. They are activated by remote control and are often used during transportation of prisoners, in court room settings or to control prisoner work groups. Other types of direct contact electric shock devices, such as stun shields, stun batons and stun guns, require close proximity to the individual. They deliver a painful shock on contact. Electric shock belts and other direct contact stun devices have been available for use in South African prisons since 1999,1 while electrified riot shields have been supplied to the Department of Correctional Services since 1994.2 Another category of stun weapons delivers on impact a powerful electric shock with projectile darts. An example of such a device is the Taser International branded smart weapon. These are pistol-shaped weapons that cause almost immediate neuromuscular incapacitation. Concerns over use of electric shock equipment Unlawful beatings and assault of convicted prisoners and detainees awaiting trial by prison guards and police officials are commonly reported in the South African press. These include instances of the misuse of electric shock devices. A number of legal cases have been launched against officials in relation to the abuse of electric shock devices and other forms of ill-treatment in South Africa. A number of legal cases have been launched against officials in relation to the abuse of electric shock devices and other forms of ill-treatment in South Africa Generally, electric shock equipment causes severe pain only for the duration of the shock. However, these devices can have negative effects that extend beyond the initial shock period, and which can even lead to death. Concerns over their use include the following: • Medical harm. The use of electric shock devices on people with underlying health problems is a particular cause for concern. Activating devices on recipients with, for example, congenital heart defects or epilepsy, or on individuals using psychotropic medication, could increase the risk of heart attacks or ventricular Image: www.freepik.com fibrillation.3 Electric shock devices can also cause burns, welts on the skin, mental anguish, involuntary urination or defecation and secondary injuries caused by falling. The barbs of projectile electric shock weapons can also penetrate vital organs and sensitive areas. A number of factors affect the medical outcomes of deploying shock devices, such as the recipient’s sex, body mass, medical history and use of medication, alcohol or other drugs.4 Inevitably, law-enforcement ELECTRIC SHOCK BELTS AND OTHER STUN DEVICES HAVE BEEN AVAILABLE FOR USE IN SOUTH AFRICAN PRISONS SINCE 1999 officials will be unaware of some of these factors when they deploy electric shock equipment, making their use medically hazardous. • Torture. There are many documented cases of electric shock devices, alongside other forms of ill treatment, having been used in South African prisons and police cells to extract confessions, coerce compliance or punish inmates. There have 2 MANUFACTURING TORTURE?: SOUTH AFRICA’S TRADE IN ELECTRIC SHOCK EQUIPMENT

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