Chains between Handcuffs and Leg Irons

Does anyone know why in courtroom situations
there is sometimes a chain connecting the handcuffs
to the leg irons?

restricts their movement.
cant raise their fists

Does anyone know why in courtroom situations
there is sometimes a chain connecting the handcuffs
to the leg irons?

Please take a look at this restraint:

http://www.handcuffwarehouse.com/pemo77.html

the belly chain ties the arms loosely to the sides,
the chain between handcuffs and leg irons
does not seem to restrict movement any further -
the length of the chain 40" indicates that
for most people the chain will hang loosely to the floor.

Does anyone know why in courtroom situations
there is sometimes a chain connecting the handcuffs
to the leg irons?

the connecting chain can be upheld
by the prisoner to prevent
the chain of the leg irons from
dragging on the ground

Does anyone know why in courtroom situations
there is sometimes a chain connecting the handcuffs
to the leg irons?

A padlock can shorten the chain length as well.

Does anyone know why in courtroom situations
there is sometimes a chain connecting the handcuffs
to the leg irons?

I've often wondered about that myself. When the prisoner's wearing a belt or belly chain, the chain hanging down doesn't seem to do anything at all. I've sometimes wondered if there's supposed to be some sort of psychological factor to it. Maybe all it's meant to do is add weight and make a noise and constantly remind you that you're chained up.
But then I'm very cynical.

Does anyone know why in courtroom situations
there is sometimes a chain connecting the handcuffs
to the leg irons?

Actually, last night, I realised that there was a reason for the chain joining the belly chain to the shackles. I was reading an older thread. An amateur escape artist had made a bet with his friend over weather he could esscape from leg irons, a belly chain, and a pair of those high-security S&W cuffs with a blue box. He had made the thread to ask what he was getting himself into. The consensus seemed to be that getting out of the cuffs and irons would be very very difficult, but not impossible. Removing the belly chain was discounted out of hand. His friend had even said he didn't have to get out of it. The problem seemed to be that it was secured with a tumbler padlock at the middle of his back.

So that means, even if you can pick the cuffs and shackles, the belly chain's staying on until you can escape and find a pair of bolt cutters. If there is a connecting chain, you'll be dragging the shackles behind you, between your feet, in the perfect position to trip you