Guards at Nagoya Prison used leather restraining devices with handcuffs to subdue inmates on a routine basis, according to sources close to prosecutors investigating the May death a 49-year-old male inmate who had been placed in such a restraint.
An investigator at the Nagoya District Prosecutor's Office said one Nagoya Prison guard has testified that the restraining devices, which were supposed to be employed to keep prisoners from committing suicide or hurting themselves or others -- are routinely used to subdue inmates.
Prosecutors suspect the increased use of the leather device led to the death of the prisoner in May and also caused serious injuries to a 30-year-old prisoner in September.
Meanwhile, sources close to the case said that suspicions have arisen that in December 2000, one inmate was forced to eat his meals and go to the toilet while restrained by the devices, which runs against Justice Ministry instructions on their use. The ministry instructs prison guards to remove the manacles during meals and trips to the toilet in principle.