page_title: Legcuffs
section_title: Controversial use
hierarchical_section_title: Legcuffs / Controversial use
caption_attribution_description: தமிழ்: கால் விலங்கு - தொல் பொருட்காட்சிச்சாலை, யாழ்ப்பாணம்
context_page_description: Legcuffs are physical restraints used on the ankles of a person to allow walking only with a restricted stride and to prevent running and effective physical resistance.
  Frequently used alternative terms are leg cuffs, shackles, footcuffs, fetters or leg irons.
  The term "fetter" shares a root with the word "foot".
  Shackles are typically used on prisoners and slaves. Leg shackles also are used for chain gangs to keep them together.
  Metaphorically, a fetter may be anything that restricts or restrains in any way, hence the word "unfettered".
context_section_description: In comparison to handcuffs the wearing of leg irons may be found less restrictive. Thus the prison authorities in several countries deem their long-term use acceptable. In order to avoid condoning this disputed practice, the countries of the European Union have banned exporting leg irons into non-EU countries. The countries that continue to make prisoners wear fetters long-term now tend to manufacture their own restraints.
caption: Wooden legcuff at a museum, Sri Lanka
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