Security and medical professionals have a duty to protect individuals while in custody. The most effective strategy for minimizing harm associated with restraints is to avoid their use whenever possible. However, there are situations in which restraining an individual may be necessary for their safety or the safety of others.

In this session, attendees will gain an overview of key historical court decisions that outline legal obligations to incarcerated individuals, strategies to avoid the use of physical restraints, and appropriate actions when restraints must be applied. The presentation concludes with best practices to mitigate injuries, the involvement of medical staff during restraint, common restraint tools, and recommended actions once restraints are removed.

Educational Objectives

• Discuss historical and current legal obligations related to restraints and use of force
• Evaluate strategies to avoid the use of restraints
• Identify best practices and tools to mitigate injuries resulting from the use of restraints