ICE’s Use of Shock Gloves Raises Concerns

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agreed to a $16.7 million contract for 6,000 pairs of shock gloves in August, despite a military study revealing their intense effects. The contract was signed with full knowledge of their impact, according to American Oversight, which shared findings with the Associated Press.

An unreleased Army study showcased the gloves’ power during an October 2024 military exercise at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Participants, including large-built men acting as combative prisoners, ceased resistance when shocked. The study noted they experienced “fatigue, soreness, and excessive apprehensiveness.” The mere sight of the gloves inspired compliance, the authors reported.

“Participants stated just seeing the gloves was enough to make them comply,” the study authors noted.

Gloves as Safety Tools or Potential Threats?

ICE labeled these gloves as “distraction and de-escalation devices,” claiming they offer a safer method than potentially lethal force for subduing individuals. They argue that the prompt compliance ensures officer safety.

However, critics argue the gloves present a risk of misuse, potentially intimidating and harming individuals. American Oversight’s Executive Director, Chioma Chukwu, expressed concern about the lack of proven safety, emphasizing the intense pain inflicted.

The manufacturer, Compliant Technologies LLC, advises against usage on high-risk groups like children or pregnant women.

Military Assessment and Role-Play

The military conducted a study to test the gloves’ efficiency during confrontations with prisoners. The gloves were found to enhance team efficiency by reducing physical encounter duration. Though they didn’t change escort times, they required less effort. They bolstered confidence for smaller or less-experienced team members, leading to immediate compliance from inmates.

The gloves’ electric jolts cause pain by overloading skin nerve endings, rather than freezing the body as a Taser does. Participants with wet or oily skin felt stronger shocks, with effects lingering for 30 minutes.

Call for Transparency

Senator Catherine Cortez Masto and 15 Democratic senators demanded ICE drop the glove plan or clarify preventive measures against abuse. As of now, ICE hasn’t responded to their August 27 inquiry.

Senator Cortez Masto emphasized the need for transparency about the deployment and training of agents using the gloves.

Department of Homeland Security’s Defense

The Department of Homeland Security defended the glove purchase, branding critics as undermining officer safety. They stressed ongoing assessments to equip officers safely while adhering to law enforcement standards. The department asserted that officers are “highly trained in de-escalation tactics,” as noted by a DHS spokesperson.