Amnesty International is extremely concerned at the introduction by prison authorities of a remote controlled electro-shock stun belt for use on prisoners in chain gangs, judicial hearings and transportation. Law enforcement officers at the push of a button can easily inflict severe pain and incapacitate a prisoner, and there is concern that officers may use it to psychologically threaten, humiliate and degrade prisoners. No strictly independent medical study of such belts has been reported and misuse could result in longer term physical and mental injuries. There is further concern that such belts will be exported to countries where electro-shock weapons have been used for torture. Amnesty International is calling for the immediate suspension of the use and export of stun belts and other electro-shock weapons unless and until independent medical studies on their safety are carried out.
