A restraint chair is a type of physical restraint that is used to force an individual to remain seated in one place to prevent injury and harm to themselves or others.^[1] They are commonly used in prisons for violent inmates and hospitals for out of control patients. However, they have also been used to restrain prisoners at Guantanamo Bay detention camp during force-feeding.

In the United States, the use of these chairs is controversial because a number of deaths and injuries from prolonged periods have been reported. There have been numerous cases of financial settlements, as well as personal lawsuits and at least one class action suit.^[2]

In Australia, the mere use of restraint chairs has sparked opposition.^[3]

Various forms of restraint chair have been used for centuries. The modern, institutional type was introduced into the United States in the late 1990s.

A typical, modern restraint chair consists of a sturdy frame, padded seat and padded reclining back, arm rests, a foot rest, and a set of back wheels. Straps secure the individual at the ankles, wrists, shoulders, and waist.

Restraint chairs are used in local jails as well as state and federal prisons.^[4] They are used by the U.S. Marshals Service, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and also in psychiatric hospitals and juvenile detention facilities.

Numbers vary within the United States and across the world. An example of the number of times the chair was used is as follows:

• According to Jacksonville Sheriff's Office records, the restraint chair was used 137 times in 2014 and 130 times in 2015.^[5]
• In Gwinnett County, Georgia, during the first half of 2013, 129 inmates were held in a restraint chair.^[2]

A review of deaths at United States county jails revealed that there have been nearly 40 restraint chair-related deaths since the late 1990s.^[4] Prolonged periods in a restraint chair can cause blood clots.

• Medical restraint
• Spit hood, often used in conjunction