Oklahoma County Jail introduces "taser gloves"

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — The Oklahoma County Jail is rolling out new technology aimed at deescalating situations with inmates.

The new equipment is essentially taser gloves. These gloves will emit an electric shock similar to a taser, but not as high in voltage.

That's because the gloves are designed to only deescalate the situation, instead of being used as a use of high combat force.

"About 65% of our staff are female, and I think it's important that we provide them tools that help equalize," said Brandi Garner, Oklahoma County Jail CEO.

Rolling out new technology in the form of gloves, that when utilized will help officers in an altercation with inmates.

The product is called GLOVE: Generating Low Output Voltage Emitter.

"Basically I've got positives and negatives on a pad," Justin Morris, Distributor for Compliant Technologies said. "It's operating only through skin contact. So, people ask about pacemakers, defibrillators, the safety of that. We're only grabbing enough motor units across the skin to stimulate the peripheral nervous system, just the sensory portion of that. So, we don't cause any injury with our device."

The gloves do not work through clothes, and on first contact with skin it emits 210 volts, maxing out at 380 volts the longer the gloves are in contact.

"So, I can still handle somebody, touch them on their clothes and they won't be delivered a shock," Morris said.

Officers will also still be able to use other equipment while having the gloves on.

"I don't have to shut it off or drop it," Morris said. "I can go immediately to another tool on my belt or vest."

Brandi Garner says their staff is currently going through training and she plans to have everyone equipped with gloves in the coming weeks.

"The safety of our staff is paramount, and of course, we want to utilize every tool available to us in order to gain control of the situation and the ability to do this and use this without a very little risk to the resident or our staff is important to us," Garner said.

Garner adds that this will not be for every day use, only when situations require it. Staff will have a pouch on their belt to hold the gloves until they are deemed necessary to use.