Why do inmates appearing in court before a judge have their hands down the front of their pants?

Question

You see this on the news when defendants are before a judge in court. It looks very stange tp see both hands down the front of their pants. What is the purpose of this?

Answer 1

Most likely because their hands are cuffed. And by gravity pulling their hands down and to their side, causes restraint and pressure to the outside of the wrist. So to support their hands, they use the elastic in the jail suit to keep this from happening.

Answer 2

Mike G has answered the most correctly, An inmate needs to have access to documentation, must be able to sign documents so they are chain to their side imagine being handcuff with your hands behind your back and you are required to read or sign a document. When they loosen the cuffs that inmate become a security risk.

Answer 3

They are handcuffed in front because the person is being detained while still in court. Their hands are in front so the prisoner would not need assistance getting up from his chair if needed to go to the stand and be able to assist his/her attorney in their defense.

Answer 4

They are hand cuffed and have a waist chain around thier waist ( or waist belt) that is holding the hand cuffs in place, so they can';t move thier arms up and down or around as a safety issue

Answer 5

So the court officers can see their hands

Answer 6

Look closer and you'll see that their hands are handcuffed together in front of them. It's just where they hang when they're not holding their arms up.

Answer 7

It is because they are shackled ankles to waist, wrists to waist.

Most generally it is violent criminals you see in this fashion; it is to minimize escape risk.

Answer 8

their hands are cold and they dont have any pockets!

Answer 9

security

Answer 10

they don't. they are shackled around the waist.