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
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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