The Bicycle
The Veiligheidsbed security bed was custom built for the Dutch Department of Justice and is used in the isolation ward in several Dutch prisons. While the authorities claim it is not used anymore because of its brutal torture, every now and then stories appear that people still end up on this bed. The bed is intended as a punishment device. If an inmate runs amok, for instance by head banging, he is strapped on the bed and left for 24 hours. Every now and then his legs are loosened so blood circulation can be restored. The movement resembles cycling; hence the bed has been nicknamed 'fiets' (bicycle). The restraint is very severe and has been known to cause injury to the spinal column if an inmate is particularly violent in struggling against his bonds. A punishment can last for up to 72 hours, although it is unknown whether this duration has actually been achieved. After release from the bed the prisoner usually can't walk for some time. The bed shown in these photos is located at my girlfriend's house, and was purchased from the company where it was manufactured. As you can imagine, strapping a patient down to the bed is a lengthy process because the straps are held by bars that need to be screwed tight to the frame. Once secured however, the straps are impossible to pull loose. The canvas breast plate holds the victim tight against the waterproof mattress. The subject lies on an absorbent pad to prevent urine spill. Every hour or so the subject is checked, and fed if needed. (Text courtesy of Tjerk.)
Did you notice the double door on the isolation cell?
See Tjerk’s page for more details and pictures: https://rien.smmedical.eu/fiets/fiets.html
Thanks to Serious Images http://seriousimages.com/ for some of the pictures.
