A recently published Army investigation reveals that electric shock gloves, recently acquired by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, produced immediate, intense pain in soldiers role-playing detainees during controlled trials. The study, conducted in 2024, involved mock cell extractions where participants wearing the gloves — designed to resemble ordinary work gloves but capable of delivering an electric charge — reported fear and physical discomfort upon contact. One trial documented lingering pain lasting up to 30 minutes after exposure, while another noted that individuals with moist or oily skin experienced heightened discomfort. The gloves, referred to internally as GLOVEs (Generated Low Output Voltage Emitter), were tested on volunteers portraying resistant inmates. Results indicated that while the devices did not reduce the time required to subdue subjects or transfer them between units, they did increase confidence among guards, particularly those described as smaller or less experienced. Soldiers who had been shocked expressed significant apprehension about future exposure, with researchers noting fatigue, soreness, and heightened anxiety. Despite these findings, the study concluded that the gloves could be considered for deployment in military detention facilities. ICE proceeded to purchase 6,650 pairs from Kentucky-based Compliant Technologies for $16.7 million, a move confirmed by internal records obtained by American Oversight and shared with the Associated Press. The acquisition occurred despite the Army’s assessment and prior warnings from watchdog groups. White House border official Tom Homan had previously indicated a potential delay in field use, though the agency moved forward with the procurement while aware of the study’s outcomes. The manufacturer, represented by Jeff Niklaus, characterized the gloves as among the safest and most humane de-escalation tools available, a claim that contrasts with the documented physiological and psychological effects observed in testing.