Policy Text
Court Security Division P age 1 of 4 3/03 (REV 6/11)
Procedures: Restraints
The purpose of this Operations Or der is to provide policy and p rocedures in the use of
restraints at all Sacramento Count y Superior Court facilities.
I. Policy
A. Restraints are authorized to c ontrol movements, manage escor ts, and
prevent assaultive behavior by i nmates and arrestees. They sha ll not be
applied to inflict unnecessary pai n or willful injury to any pe rson.
II. Authority
A. The person under arrest may be subject to such restraint as is reasonable.
1. California P enal Code §835
B. No person, whether or not act ing under color of law, shall b y force or
threat of force, willfully injur e . . . any person in the exerc ise of a
Constitutional Right.
1. California P enal Code §422.6
C. California Code of Regulatio ns (CCR), Title 15, Division 1, Chapter 1,
subchapter 4, Minimum (Jail) Sta ndards for Local Detention Faci lities,
Article 5, Section 1058.
1. Use of restraints
D. The accused shall not be in flicted with cruel and unusual pu nishment.
1. U.S. Constitution, Eighth Amendment
III. Types of Restraints Authorized
A. Handcuffs
1. Definition:
a. Metal, adjustable, locking cu ffs that are connected by a one
and a half inch length of c hain or a hinge device.
2. Used to limit hand and arm movement.
Court Security Division P age 2 of 4 3/03 (REV 6/11) 3. Applying device:
a. Hands in Front:
(1) Palms together, keyhole up, and shall be double-
locked.
(a) Applied in this manner only under unusual
circumstances or when the inmate is being
short-haul transport ed in vehicle #357.
b. Hands to the Rear:
(1) Palms facing away from each other, keyhole up, and
shall double-locked.
4. Four-, Six- or Ten-Chain Restraint
a. Definition:
(1) A length of chain with several handcuffs spaced and
welded to the chain.
b. Used primarily to escort sever al inmates at the same time.
(1) Used primarily on shor t-haul transportation runs.
c. Applying device:
(1) The keyhole of the cuff s hall face away from the view
of the defendant.
(2) The cuffs shall be double-locked.
5. Leg Irons (Ankle Cuffs)
a. Definition:
(1) A length of chain usuall y 12 to 15 inches in length
with a larger than norma l cuff at each end.
b. Used to prevent in-custody defendants from running. c. May be used independently in unusual circumstances, but
usually in conjunction with handcuffs or belly chains.
d. Applying device:
(1) The in-custody defend ant should be seated or may
kneel on a chair facing a way from the officer.
Court Security Division P age 3 of 4 3/03 (REV 6/11) (2) The keyhole of the cuff s hall face away from the view
of the defendant.
(3) The cuffs shall be double-locked.
6. Belly Chains
a. Definition:
(1) Length of chain that encir cles the waist and is fitted
and secured to a specific waist size by the use of a padlock.
(2) Chain has handcuffs attached to keep the inmate's
hands close to their body.
(3) Typically applied to the following:
(a) Total separation inmates. (b) Administrative s egregation inmates.
(c) Disciplinary status inmates. (d) Psychiatric status inmates (danger to self or
others).
(e) Inmates transported to satellite court facilities.
b. Limits hand and arm mo vement of the inmate.
c. Leg irons shall be ap plied in conjuncti on with belly chains.
d. Applying device:
(1) Have the inmate face a way from the officer.
(2) Have the inmate raise arms with hands straight out or
over their head.
(3) Apply waist chain snugly and adjust it to the correct
waist size.
(4) The portion of the chai n that hangs down in front is
brought up between the inmate's legs and secured
with a padlock to the waist chain behind the inmate's back.
(5) Apply the handcuffs with t he inmate's palms facing in
toward his/her body, and the keyhole facing up.
Court Security Division P age 4 of 4 3/03 (REV 6/11) (6) The cuffs shall be double-locked.
7. Courtroom Security Chair
a. Definition:
(1) A courtroom chair that has a locking device which
allows a standard belly chain to be securely attached to the back of the chair.
b. Limits the in-custody def endant or witness from standing up
from a seated position.
c. Use may require a security hearing. (1) Court Security Operations Order 3/06 d. Applying device:
(1) Remove the inmate's leg irons. (2) Have the belly-chained inmate sit in the chair. (3) Apply the chair’s locki ng device to the belly chain.
(4) Remove the inmate's hand(s) from the belly chain