Recent reports that "The Chair" is alive and well as a prisoner restraining device in some Utah counties should not spark outrage or an American Civil Liberties Union lawsuit. But in light of the March 1997 death of Utah State Prison inmate Michael Valent, it should be used sparingly and carefully as a tool of last resort.
Valent died from a blood clot to his lungs after lengthy immobility. He had been deemed suicidal and was strapped into the spartan device for nearly 17 hours. Subsequently, the manufacturer of the PRO-straint chair said a person should not be restricted for more than three hours without breaks to stimulate circulation. A lawsuit by Valent's mother over the matter is in process.Even with Valent's unfortunate death, the chair may have a place in dealing with inmates who are dangerous to themselves and others. He had refused medication that may have calmed him, and prison officials were not left with easy options. The same scenario sometimes plays out in county jails. Guards and other personnel are at risk unless restraint devices are employed.
If necessary, the chair should be seen as an emergency, short-term solution and not as long-term punishment. It should not be used in standard booking proceedings, and there should be specific and prudent policies to guide its use.
A state panel of mental health and Department of Corrections officials studied the issue of restraint thoroughly. It recommended alternatives such as verbal interaction, diversion, time out, medication and one-on-one methods of control.
While diversion and dialogue are ideal, medication is often the most viable alternative in dealing with mentally ill inmates in emergencies. A restraining chair should be the last resort.