Handcuff cover

A handcuff cover is a piece of plastic or metal that can be placed around a pair of handcuffs. The first handcuff cover was invented by J.D. Cullip and K.E. Stefansen and patented in 1973. It is made from high-strength, high-impact ABS plastic and is still distributed by C & S Security Inc. as "Black Box" handcuff cover. Other companies sell similar devices, e.g. CTS Thompson ("Blue Box" handcuff cover) or Sisco restraints. A handcuff cover consists of a hinged, box-like assembly adapted to be locked over the handcuff chain, wristlets and keyholes. After placing the handcuffs into the box, the box is fixed with a channel-shaped retainer member which is slidably receivable in the continuous groove of the closed box.

Using a handcuff cover pursues two goals: On the one hand, the cover converts a pair of standard chain link handcuffs into rigid handcuffs, providing a rather more severe restraint. On the other hand, it covers the keyholes of the handcuffs so that the handcuffed person is not able to open the handcuffs even if the individual were in possession of a handcuff key.

In most cases, a handcuff cover is used in combination with a belly chain which fixes the at waist level. When using a handcuff cover in combination with a belly chain, the hands may be cuffed in a parallel or in a stacked position. In this constellation, the shackled person's freedom of movement is strongly restricted and the arms are kept in a rather unnatural position which may cause discomfort or even pain. This is because when the covered handcuffs are used in combination with a belly chain, the prisoner's wrists are restrained in close proximity to the prisoner's torso. When the hands are cuffed in a parallel position, this will cause the wrists to spread outwardly in an angular relationship. As the handcuff cover provides a rigid structure, the prisoner's wrists may be bruised or cocked, restricting blood circulation in the prisoner's wrists. Overall, a handcuff cover in combination with a belly chain provide a rather uncomfortable way of restraint and may result in injury to the prisoner if maintained for an extended period of time.

A handcuff cover can also be linked with a connector chain to a pair of leg irons. Individuals with a handcuff cover fitted over their handcuffs can last not least be restrained together for transportation using so-called "gang chains".

CTS Thompson "Blue Box" handcuff cover

The handcuffs are put into the plastic box.

The box is closed and fixed with the metallic slider.

Prisoner in handcuffs with a CTS Thompson "Blue Box" handcuff cover, secured with a belly chain around the prisoner's waist.

...
Wikipedia