William F. Schulz

About the author: William F. Schulz writes for the New York Review of Books, an intellectual magazine that focuses on topics ranging from politics and culture to literature.

Shock weapons such as stun belts and shields have become more commonly used by prison officials in recent years. Labeled "crime control" devices, these weapons present several dangers. Prison officials are extremely apt to misuse the devices, and the weapons themselves may be dangerous, since there is no proof that shocks do not have long term medical effects. Finally, the United States has no way of guaranteeing that the shock weapons they export to other countries will not be used for torture.

During a break in his trial on charges of assault, Edward Valdez walked out of the San...