ICE Ordered Shock Gloves After Army Study Revealed Intense Pain and Compliance

New study shows shock gloves cause pain, fear, and immediate compliance, raising concerns over ICE's purchase.

October 7, 2026 One Min Read

POLICY WIRE — Washington, D.C. — A previously undisclosed U.S. Army study revealed that shock gloves, which Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) plans to deploy, can cause severe pain, prompt instant compliance, and leave users with lasting apprehension, according to newly released documents.

The research, conducted at Fort Leavenworth in Kansas during a military exercise in October 2024, found that participants who acted as combative prisoners experienced intense discomfort and ceased resistance almost immediately after the gloves were applied. The findings were known to ICE leaders before the agency signed a $16.7 million contract for 6,000 pairs of the devices in August.

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ICE has described the gloves as distraction and de-escalation tools that could reduce the need for more aggressive force. However, critics argue that the technology may be used to intimidate and harm individuals, particularly those in vulnerable groups. The manufacturer, Compliant Technologies LLC, warns against using the gloves on children, pregnant women, or disabled individuals, while advocates have called for greater transparency and safety assurances before deployment.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)

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