File this under “not surprised:” The L.A. County Sherriff’s Department will begin using a smaller version of the Active Denial System to control inmates at the Pitchess Detention Center. The Assault Intervention Device stands at only 7.5” tall and will emit an invisible heat wave nearly 5 inches in diameter in a range of about 100 feet. The device will be used to curb the numerous inmate assaults in the prison.
Proponents of the device say that the pain ray weapon will allow guards at the prison to break up incidents before they get out of control, with minimal risk to guards and without incapacitating or injuring combatants. Of course, that same logic has been used in other supposed “less than lethal” measures before with limited success. The weapon itself produces a burning sensation which targets can only stand for about 3 seconds. One has to wonder how long before the A.I.D. ends up in an interrogation room.
