Judge rules waist chains removed from inmates at courthouses

A judge has ruled that jail inmates will no longer be chained around the waist inside Orange County courthouses.

The Orange County Register reports Superior Court Judge Kathleen Roberts ruled the order could end a policy by the Orange County Sheriff's Department to fit all inmates going to court with waist chains.

Defense attorneys say the practice is inhumane.

Attorneys for the Sheriff's Department argue that the chains ensure the safety of inmates, court staff and the public.

Attorneys say the holding tanks are also under the sheriff's domain citing judicial overreach and failure to take safety into account.

Roberts says she delayed her order until Nov. 22 to give the department the opportunity to seek an appeal.

Department officials say they expect to appeal the ruling.