Electric-shock gloves ICE plans to use inflicted intense pain in army study

Key Points:

• A military study revealed that electric-shock gloves, intended for use by ICE agents, caused intense pain and immediate compliance during a 2024 exercise with role-playing detainees, raising safety and ethical concerns.
• Despite the study's findings, ICE signed a $16.7 million contract in August to purchase 6,000 pairs of the gloves, marketed as non-lethal "distraction and de-escalation devices" to control detainees and protesters.
• Critics warn the gloves may be used to intimidate and inflict pain without proven safety, citing past incidents of excessive force linked to similar devices, including a fatality in a Kentucky jail.
• The military study found the gloves improved efficiency in forced cell extractions and reduced physical effort for officers, but did not significantly change the time to control inmates during escorts.
• Senators, including Catherine Cortez Masto, have called on ICE to explain the gloves' use and training protocols, expressing concern over the lack of transparency and potential for abuse.