This article reviews the features of various "less-than-lethal" (LTL) technologies that correctional and law enforcement officers can use to temporarily disable aggressive and resistant offenders, which minimizes the risk of death and injury to correctional/law enforcement officers as well as those who pose threats.
One type of LTL is the "laser dazzler," a hand-held device that shines a green laser which flashes at rapid, random intervals, disorienting those targeted. It is effective in both darkness and daylight and can disorient subjects hundreds of yards away. Another LTL technology is the Ring Airfoil Projective (RAP). It is a doughnut-shaped rubber projectile that is delivered with accuracy and speed to sting a target up to 40 meters away. Under a grant from the National Institute of Justice, the developer of the RAP is developing a way to incorporate "pepper spray" into the RAP so as to ensure temporary incapacitation following the projectile's sting. A third LTL profiled in this article is called the "Sticky Shocker." It delivers a wireless projectile that adheres to a human target while delivering an electrical shock that temporarily disables the target. The Sticky Shocker extends the range of traditional electrical stun guns from arm's length to approximately 10 meters. Another technology mentioned in this article is not a LTL technology, but is useful in corrections for detecting contraband that contains metal material. "SCANMAIL" finds metal objects enclosed in various types of materials. A related technology, the Body Orifice Security Scanner (BOSS), has proven effective in detecting small weapons and/or metallic contraband concealed in body cavities.