Basic Corrections Officer Exam 2026 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Certification Exam

When securing an offender with handcuffs, ensuring that the keyholes are facing towards the offender is crucial for preventing tampering. This orientation makes it much more difficult for the offender to access the keyholes and potentially manipulate the handcuffs to escape. By positioning the keyholes in this direction, the risk of an offender using various methods to free themselves is significantly reduced, enhancing the overall safety of both the officer and the situation.

The other orientations may allow the offender increased access or visibility to the keyholes, which could lead to attempts at tampering. For example, having the keyholes facing down the arms or sideways could provide opportunities for an offender to reach the keyholes with ease or use objects to manipulate the cuff mechanisms. Therefore, facing the keyholes towards the offender is a standard safety practice in maintaining effective control during restraint.