Legcuffs

This article is about physical fetters used as restraints. For other uses, see Fetter (disambiguation).
"In irons" redirects here. For the sailing term, see Point of sail § No-go zone.

prisoner walk in legcuffs
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.[1] Frequently used alternative terms are leg cuffs, (leg/ankle) shackles, footcuffs, fetters[2] 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.[3]

Metaphorically, a fetter may be anything that restricts or restrains in any way, hence the word "unfettered".

  1. ^ "Select Your Library - Credo Reference".
  2. ^ Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Fetters and Handcuffs" . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 10 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 296.
  3. ^ Reynolds, Marylee. "Back on the Chain Gang". Corrections Today. Gale group. Archived from the original on May 21, 2011. Retrieved October 1, 2013.