Safety claims for body restraint used by US authorities based on disputed study

Wrap device used by Ice says it can be used without restricting breathing but investigation shows claims based on anecdotes

Safety claims made by the manufacturer of a full-body restraint used by more than 1,500 authorities across the US are largely based on anecdotal evidence and one disputed study, an investigation by Capital & Main has found.

The WRAP device is used by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Ice) among many other law enforcement agencies, and its manufacturer claims it can be used to immobilize a person without restricting their breathing. The black and yellow harness with straps and buckles locks a person's legs together and clips their torso into a seated position.