This is from your corrections officer "pal" from Michigan. I'm writing to alert you to a control/self defense tactic that has been taught to corrections officers over the past few years. It is being misused. Prisoners are being injured and killed. Some officers are losing their jobs and, sometimes their freedom. No one is speaking out about the misuse of this commonly-taught and useful tactic. Officials are acting like those injuries and deaths are isolated incidents. In recent years, corrections "self defense - prisoner control" training has emphasized pressure points and strikes to "pressure points." That is, to nerve centers in the body. These are martial arts techniques. They are effective and usually don't cause permanent injury to the victim. They were adopted because they're effective and because they don't guarantee a trip to the hospital as would be the case if someone were simply beaten down with a baton or fists, or if he were shot. The specific pressure point tactic that's causing the most problem is the knee strike to the "common peronial"*. This is a knee strike to the upper thigh delivered from behind or from the side. It's used to cause temporary pain and thereby cause distraction. Then restraints may be applied or follow-up defense tactics used. I've been trained in it's use myself and have had it used on me. I've used it on other officers in a training environment. Since officers trained together aren't out to hurt each other and don't use full force, the tactic didn't cause injury. From news reports I read, which range from places like Iraq, Afghanistan and Guantanamo, and credible'word-of-mouth reports from local prisoners, the knee strike tactic is being used to punish, injure and even kill prisoners. It is being used with full force and repeatedly. Officers delude themselves into thinking they are doing right or will get away with it because the tactic was taught in official training. I'm not proposing that the tactic be banned altogether, but its misuse should be exposed and punished. Editor's Footnote *We've quoted the author's spelling and usage. It's not our own. We know of no such terminology. Rebecca's Bargain Antiques Collectible Vintage Photos Fine Prints - Old Maps Sheet Music - Old Books Elegant Antiques and Collectibles "I'11 get you, my pretty, and your little dog, too!" spoken by Margaret Hamilton in The Wizard of Oz, 1939 You are welcome to use or republish any of our material. Please give www.prisoners.com credit as the source. Return to the Crime Stories Menu Return to the Main Menu Go to our site's Search Engine Send us Your Comments or Input.