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5 alternatives to traditional restraint tools

There are alternatives to traditional restraints on the market that can help in a bind

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Correctional professionals are faced with out of control inmates that need restraints to either protect themselves or the staff charged with their care.

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When a correctional restraint situation goes beyond the normal handcuffs and leg irons, scrutiny increases. Is this the only option? Is the inmate safe and is their welfare being thought of? Is staff safe? These are the questions that often have to be - and should be - answered.

Correctional professionals around the world are faced daily with out of control inmates that need restraints to either protect themselves or the staff charged with their care. Whether you are dealing with a determined self-harm situation or just a violent behavior problem, there are times when it seems you may be out of options. Traditional restraints aren’t working – what’s next?

Several new options on the market answer that question.

Cuff Muzzle

The cuff muzzle is a security device that can be used to cover the hands of inmates during transport or in conjunction with four-point, ambulatory or medical restraints. Clear vinyl allows staff to see the hands inside the muzzle, while also limiting the inmate’s ability to manipulate the restraints or other dangerous contraband. Cuff muzzles can also prevent inmates that are self-injurious from scratching themselves or staff while restrained.

Transboard

Correctional and mental health staff often need to immobilize inmates for safe transport away from an incident area or to a more secure area. The Transboard makes the secured transport of dangerously aggressive inmates much safer for staff and inmates alike. Designed with multiple handles/openings along the edge, the Transboard is designed to allow up to 6-point leather or polyurethane restraints – wrists, chest, knees, and ankles. At 28 pounds, it’s lightweight and easy to carry. Coated for easy cleaning, the Transboard also has an attached pillow to protect an inmate’s head from banging against the Transboard while restrained.

Duramax Isolation Bed

The most extreme cases can only be managed by multiple limb restraint. The Duramax Isolation Bed allows for safe restraint up to five points – wrists, chest and ankles. The bed, weighing only 110 pounds, eliminates the need for a dedicated restraint cell. Able to be permanently attached to the floor through the recessed base or moved in and out of a regular cell as needed, the Duramax bed allows flexibility for departments with limited bed space. The slightly textured nonporous surface allows for easy cleaning and has a contoured top for added patient/inmate comfort.

Peerless High Security Restraints

Peerless High Security is the next step in restraints for dangerous inmates or inmates that have already proven they are skilled at escape or defeating restraints. Universal handcuff keys are useless with these high security restraints, a special consideration for inmates that have hidden or manufactured handcuff keys in the past. The Peerless High Security Restraints are each coded and matched with a key tracked by the company. Multiple sets can be ordered so each set is keyed differently or keyed alike.

Nylon Control Strap

Simple and practical, the Nylon Control Strap by Humane Restraint is a cost effective way to deal with an unruly inmate during transport. By securing the 52” strap around the inmate’s knees or ankles and closing the other end of the strap in the vehicle door, this strap will severely limit the inmate’s ability to kick or move.

Economical and effective, these are just a few of the options available when your restraints aren’t working and you are out of options.

Michael Cantrell is a retired corrections professional with over 29 years of experience, an author, professional speaker, and host of The Prison Officer Podcast. He retired from the Federal Bureau of Prisons as Chief of the Office of Emergency Preparedness, where he specialized in crisis response, tactical operations, emergency preparedness, and staff development.

During his career, Michael led special response teams, disturbance control units and K-9 operations. He is a certified instructor in firearms, less-lethal weapons, breaching techniques and disturbance control, and is recognized for his expertise in correctional emergency response and tactical operations.

In 2026, Michael appeared as a featured corrections expert in the Netflix series “The New Stanford Prison Experiment,” providing professional insight into correctional operations, institutional culture, leadership and the psychological dynamics of authority and power.

Michael is the author of several books, including “The Weight of Justice: Leadership Lessons from Inside America’s Toughest Prisons,” which draws upon nearly three decades of correctional experience to explore leadership, resilience and the challenges of working behind prison walls. His book “POWER SKILLS: Emotional Intelligence and Soft Skills for Correctional Officers, First Responders, and Beyond” emphasizes the importance of emotional intelligence, communication and sound decision-making in high-stress professions.

As Director of Correctional Training for Command Presence, Michael develops and delivers professional training programs for correctional personnel nationwide. He regularly presents on leadership, emergency preparedness, correctional operations, emotional intelligence and professional development. His work has been featured in more than 50 published articles appearing in Corrections1.com, the ILEETA Journal, American Jails Magazine, Corrections Today and other industry publications. Through his books, training, speaking engagements and The Prison Officer Podcast, Michael continues to advocate for the corrections profession, sharing practical strategies for effective leadership, officer wellness, professional development, and operational excellence. Contact him at mike@theprisonofficer.com or visit www.theprisonofficer.com.