Stun cuffs, also known as magnacuffs or simply binders, were
used in prisons and detention blocks across the galaxy. The
simple-looking devices could hold even the most enraged
Wookiee prisoner.
Stun cuffs were cost-effective and common all over the galaxy.
They appeared to be nothing more than a pair of durasteel
binders, though they had a few built-in extras to keep unruly
prisoners at bay. They were equipped with micromagnetic
fields which kept the restraining bands locked in place, and could
deliver a jolt of paralyzing enery activated via remote. If a prisoner
was not deterred by this, the guards could activate another
feature which tripled the strength of the binders and cut off circulation. This was often an effective way to quickly calm an angry inmate. The stun features of the binders were usually only reserved for those who were considered severe security risks, though the setting could be altered to deliver a low-powered jolt. Stun cuffs on full power could render a prisoner unconscious.
The remote control unit carried by prison guards had a keypad and a small readout screen, and allowed the guard to direct up to forty pairs of stun cuffs. The cuffs were usally set to stun the prisoner automatically if he or she moved more than 10 meters away from the controller, though the remote's range extended for up to fifty meters. The remote could also tighten the stun cuffs - an action which required a seven-digit code to unlock them.
Despite the advantages of stun cuffs, there were times when prisoners used them to aid in their escape. When Luke Skywalker and Han Solo attempted to rescue Princess Leia on the Death Star, they used stun cuffs to fool the prison guards into believing Chewbacca was a prisoner. This allowed Luke and Han, dressed in stormtrooper armour, access to the detention block. They dealt with the dumbfounded guards quickly, and were able to rescue Leia. |
