One Blue Sky

01. Definition
A jacket-like garment with buckles, ties and long sleeves which are sewn-up at the ends. It restricts movement through binding: arms strapped across the body, additional belts restrict the shoulders and groin. Used in mental health units to restrain violent or self harming patients. Also used in prisons. Straitjacket also refers to (1) a tight or close fitting item of clothing: e.g. corset, camisole, vest or waistcoat, and (2) anything rigid that hinders, limits or confines: like red-tape or narrow-minded thinking.

“I explain how sin can strap us and keep
us in bondage, just like the straitjacket.”

02. Jared Hall
Christian minister and illusionist. He uses a straitjacket and Houdini-style stunts to bring home the Christian message. “My shows are fast-paced, high-energy and high-flying. I do things like making a person disappear and making a wooden table float around the stage and even into the audience. I also do crazy, comedic illusions to keep the audience laughing. A lot of people at the shows have never been to a church service, but they’ll come to an event thinking they’re going to be entertained by an illusionist. Many of those same people leave the event knowing Jesus Christ as their Savior.” Jared Hall in action

03. Posey
A brand of straitjacket primarily used for patient care. Also the favourite of escapologists because the Posey is said to be the most difficult jacket to escape from.

04. Shoulders
Escapeologists have to dislocate a shoulder to break free of the straitjacket. Harry Houdini could dislocate both shoulders. He often performed the stunt he made famous in dramatic ways: dangled from the side of a high building or locked in a vat of water. In his book A Magician Among the Spirits, Houdini explains some of his secrets. Houdini in action. His book. A concise biog.

05. Guinness World Records
The rules state that only a Posey straitjacket is acceptable for record attempts. Current holders of the fastest escape from a Posey are David Straitjacket (UK), Ben Bradshaw (AUZ), Matthew J Cassiere (USA).

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06. Straitjacket Floats
One of many online catalogues for the straitjacket connoisseur. “Image is everything today. And image begins with fashion. Few items in today’s wardrobe are as fashionable and as versatile as the straitjacket. Suitable for home or office, for work or play, the straitjacket is not just for bedtime anymore. Join our models on a carefree tour of the exciting world of straitjacket fashion. Don’t forget to tighten your straps.”

07. BDSM
Bondage-Discipline Dominance-Submission Sadism-Masochism. Power-play between consenting couples. The relationship can be physical or psychological or an interplay of both, and it may or may not involve sexual pleasure. The balance of power varies according to the style of the relationship – see What is BDSM? for details. And where the relationship is physical, a variety tools can be employed from handcuffs to elaborate slings and swings. Straitjackets are part of the paraphernalia. Studies: Fox News, Questia, UNC

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08. Straitjacket
Portland, Oregon punk band likened to The Clash and Stiff Little Fingers. Recently included in Choke On It a showcase of Portland’s punk scene. Straitjacket clip

09. Short film
The Straitjacket Lottery. 20 minute dark comedy about a bus load of mental health patients who go AWOL. In a desperate attempt to cover up the escape, the hapless driver decides to fill the empty bus with some unlucky passers-by… trailer

10. Cinema and TV
Batman Begins, Brazil, Green Mile, Silence of the Lambs, Twelve Monkeys, Prison Break, Heroes… Various movies and shows feature unhinged characters who need restraint – see lists on wiki and blacksteel. Elsewhere straitjackets are used as props or embellishments.

26-Oct-07