Shock gloves purchased by ICE cause intense pain and quick compliance, Army study finds

Key Points:

• A previously unreleased 2024 Army study found that shock gloves intended for immigration agents caused intense pain and immediate compliance among participants role-playing combative prisoners, raising safety and ethical concerns.
• Despite the study's findings, ICE signed a $16.7 million contract in August 2024 to purchase 6,000 pairs of these gloves, describing them as safer non-lethal tools for de-escalation during arrests and protests.
• Critics argue the gloves may enable intimidation and excessive force, noting they cause pain without leaving marks, lack extensive field testing, and should not be used on vulnerable populations; ICE has not fully addressed these concerns.
• The military study showed the gloves improved efficiency in forced cell extractions and reduced physical effort, with compliance being immediate, but also reported lingering discomfort and increased pain when skin was wet or oily.
• U.S. Senators have demanded ICE clarify the gloves' use and training protocols, but ICE and the Department of Homeland Security defend the purchase, emphasizing officer safety and training in de-escalation tactics.