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CBS News
a day ago
- Politics
- CBS News
Allegheny County Jail corrections officers want to bring back leg shackles for hospital transport
The correctional officers' union at the Allegheny County Jail wants to reinstate leg shackles for hospital transports. "We've had officers kicked in the head trying to restrain somebody. They've suffered concussions, and we're making these tackles right in the emergency room, right around the general public," said Brian Englert, president of the union representing corrections officers. "This is mainly for public safety." Englert has gathered more than 500 signatures from county residents so the Allegheny County Council could bring back the restraints. "We've had 14 attempted escapes over the last 16 months," Englert said. "One person was twice in the same day." KDKA's Mamie Bah asked Englert, "What do you say to people who say this is a human rights issue?" "There's 62 county jails in Pennsylvania," he said. "We are the second largest; we are the only ones not allowed to use leg shackles." It wasn't always like this. In 2021, Allegheny County residents voted on a measure applying only to jail guards to get rid of the shackles under the solitary confinement initiative; nearly 70% voted in favor. "I've heard from some voters that they didn't fully understand what they were voting for," Allegheny County Council President Patrick Catena said. Catena said the petition has to go through a legal review before coming before the council. The councilman said they are exploring different options, including letting the sheriff's office take over transports, but it comes down to taxpayer dollars. "If we're talking about public safety and we're talking about putting people at risk, I believe that would come first and foremost," Catena said. Bah questioned, "Why not just put it back in the hands of voters?" "Honestly, I don't have an answer to that question," Catena said. After the legal review, the council will have 60 days to act. The correctional officers' union says it is no different than the other agencies. "When people are brought into the facilities, whether by police or constables, they are wearing leg shackles, sometimes. When they leave to go to court, even in the courtroom, they sit in the bullpen for hours wearing leg shackles. So, we are the only agency in Pennsylvania not allowed to use them," Englert said.
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Allegheny County corrections officers to bring back use of leg shackles during for hospital visits
Corrections Officers at the Allegheny County Jail are pushing to bring back the use of leg shackles during hospital visits. The restraints were banned as part of a ballot referendum in 2021. Officers used to use them during hospital visits to prevent inmates from trying to escape. PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> 11 Investigates: Ban on use of leg shackles during inmate hospital visits leads to safety concerns 'Every arresting authority in the state of Pennsylvania can use these except for us,' Brian Englert told Channel 11. He's the president of the prison employees union. 'Thirteen escape attempts over the last 12 months. The most high profile was in May. A gentleman convicted of third degree homicide tried to escape from our custody.' 'I have personally had two escape attempts,' Mike Arnold said. He's a CO at the jail and was there during the attempt Englert mentioned. 'This inmate was able to grab the firearm and turn the first stage of the safety off,' he said. 'With the shackles in place, that did not have to happen.' The group still needs at least 500 signatures before the council can vote on it. 'This was something passed by the voters,' Council-at-large Bethany Hallam said. She is against the effort. 'That's my biggest concern; sending a message we're trying to undo the will of the voters with some back-door, undemocratic process.' Englert and his group believe the voters were deceived. 'When you look at the ballot referendum, the language behind the question is over 850 words. Only 13 words deal with [it],' he said. Channel 11 re-read the ballot language. The word 'shackles' is used just one time out of nearly 900 words. Hallam says there is another solution to the problem. 'I think if the corrections officers are worried they cannot do their jobs keeping the public safe, maybe we should have the conversation about another law enforcement entity taking over that process,' she said. That entity would be allowed to use the shackles. Englert says it wouldn't work. '911 is an emergency. You don't wait 5, 10, 20 minutes.' There is no timetable for the vote. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
