{{Short description|Physical restraints used on the ankles}} {{About|physical fetters used as restraints|other uses|Fetter (disambiguation)}} {{Redirect|In irons|the sailing term|Point of sail#No-go zone}} {{use mdy dates|date=December 2022}} thumb|Prisoner walking in legcuffs [[File:Chain Gang Street Sweepers, 1909.jpg|thumb|Chain gang street sweepers, 1909]] '''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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Select Your Library - Credo Reference |url=http://www.credoreference.com/entry/mcfcpus/shackles/ |access-date=October 3, 2013}}</ref> Frequently used alternative terms are '''leg cuffs''', '''(leg/ankle) shackles''', '''footcuffs''', '''fetters'''<ref>{{cite EB1911|wstitle=Fetters and Handcuffs|volume=10|page=296}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Reynolds |first=Marylee |title=Back on the Chain Gang |url=http://go.galegroup.com/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110521185035/http://go.galegroup.com/ |archive-date=May 21, 2011 |access-date=1 October 2013 |website=Corrections Today |publisher=Gale group}}</ref>
Metaphorically, a fetter may be anything that restricts or restrains in any way, hence the word "unfettered".
== History == thumb|Wooden legcuff at a museum, Sri Lanka The earliest fetters found in archaeological excavations date from the prehistoric age and are mostly of the puzzle lock type.{{clarify|date=May 2015}} Some early versions of cup lock shackles existed by the Roman era. These were widely used in medieval times, but their use declined when mass production made the manufacture of locks built into restraints affordable.
Simple fetter types continue to be used,{{Clarify timeframe|date=July 2021}} like puzzle lock shackles as the typical slave iron, or irons riveted shut for prisoners being transported to overseas prison camps.
The first built-in locks often were of a simple screw-type, but soon developed into the "Darby" type. In Europe these continued to be used into the middle of the 20th century, whereas in the U.S. from the late 19th century onwards many new designs were invented and produced before handcuffs and leg irons of the Peerless type became the standard several decades ago.{{When|date=July 2021}}
One type of shackle, called an "Oregon Boot" or "Gardner Shackle", was patented in 1866 by the warden of the Oregon State Penitentiary, J. C. Gardner. The shackle consisted of an iron band supported by braces which went down and under the prisoner's foot. The shackle's weight hobbled the prisoner's movements to prevent escape, and long-term use would cause severe injury to the wearer. Use of this type of shackle was ended by the mid-20th century.<ref>{{Cite web |title=DOC Operations Division: Prison A Brief History of the Oregon Boot |url=http://www.oregon.gov/doc/OPS/PRISON/pages/osp_history3.aspx |access-date=10 December 2017 |website=oregon.gov |language=en-us |archive-date=December 6, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171206172441/http://www.oregon.gov/doc/OPS/PRISON/pages/osp_history3.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref>
== Controversial use == 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. To avoid condoning this controversial practice, the countries of the European Union have banned exporting leg irons into non-EU countries.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Steve Wright |date=2003-03-13 |title=Civilising the torture trade |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/science/2003/mar/13/research.science1 |archive-date=November 20, 2021 |access-date=December 15, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211120032632/https://www.theguardian.com/science/2003/mar/13/research.science1 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2005-06-27 |title=Council Regulation (EC) No 1236/2005 |work=Official Journal of the European Union |publisher=EUR-Lex |url=http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2005:200:0001:0019:EN:PDF |quote=concerning trade in certain goods which could be used for capital punishment, torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment |access-date=July 25, 2008 |archive-date=March 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308145811/http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2005:200:0001:0019:EN:PDF |url-status=live }}</ref> The countries that continue to make prisoners wear fetters long-term now tend to manufacture their own restraints.
==Gallery== <gallery> File:Cup lock shackle01 1999-august.jpg|Cup lock shackle with no built-in lock File:Standard legirons taiwan01.jpg| Standard type legcuffs made in Taiwan File:Legirons China01.jpg|Heavy legcuffs from China, including a metal plate to protect the keyhole from collecting dust or being tampered with </gallery> == See also == * Ball and chain * Bilboes * Electronic tagging * Handcuffs * Hobble (device) * Thumbcuffs
== References == {{Reflist}}
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Category:Law enforcement equipment Category:Physical restraint Category:Foot