Scotland Jails Adopt Pain-Free Restraint Method
Why this is here: The new technique led to an 87% reduction in the use of pain-inducing holds during pilot programs, demonstrating a measurable shift towards de-escalation and wellbeing within Scottish prisons.
Scottish prisons are implementing a new, pain-free technique for restraining prisoners across all facilities. The method replaces pain-inducing holds with a “tripod” position, keeping inmates upright and avoiding forced floor restraints.
This change follows ten years after the death of a prisoner restrained by seventeen officers and responds to human rights legislation. The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) conducted pilot programs at three jails—HMP Polmont, HMP Stirling, and HMP Low Moss—showing positive results.
During a two-year trial at Polmont, floor restraints decreased by 70% and pain-inducing holds by 87%. No injuries to staff or prisoners occurred during the second year of the pilot.
The SPS believes it is the first prison service globally to adopt this approach system-wide, though the older technique remains for life-threatening situations. Training of the 3,500 frontline staff will begin this year.