ankle monitor / ankle shackle
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ankle monitor
An electronic device that is attached to a person's ankle to monitor their location, often as an alternative to a prison sentence.
Der Verurteilte steht unter Hausarrest und muss eine elektronische Fußfessel tragen.
The convicted offender is under house arrest and has to wear an electronic ankle monitor.
The word 'Fußfessel' (ankle monitor/ankle shackle) is made directly from 'Fuß' (foot) and 'Fessel' (shackle/restraint). A 'Fessel' is something that binds or restrains someone, in this case at the foot.
Der Gefangene versuchte vergeblich, seine Fußfessel zu lösen.
The prisoner tried in vain to remove his ankle shackle.
The most common verb used with 'Fußfessel' (ankle monitor/ankle shackle) is 'tragen' (to wear). Whether it is the modern electronic version or the historical one, you 'trägst' eine Fußfessel (wear an ankle monitor/shackle).
Er muss die Fußfessel für sechs Monate tragen.
He has to wear the ankle monitor for six months.
The modern ankle monitor is almost always 'elektronisch' (electronic). It is used in the context of 'Hausarrest' (house arrest) and 'Überwachung' (surveillance/monitoring), often as an alternative to a 'Haftstrafe' (prison sentence).
Die elektronische Fußfessel überwacht, ob der Verurteilte sein Haus verlässt.
The electronic ankle monitor tracks whether the convicted offender leaves his house.
You can recognize the older, historical meaning from references to the past, such as 'im Mittelalter' (in the Middle Ages), or from materials like 'Eisen' (iron) or 'Metall' (metal).
Im Burgverlies kann man noch die alten Fußfesseln der Gefangenen sehen.
In the castle dungeon, you can still see the prisoners' old ankle shackles.
handcuff
'Handschelle' and 'Fußfessel' both refer to things that can limit a person's freedom. The most important difference is the body part: 'Handschellen' go on the wrists, while a 'Fußfessel' goes on the ankle or around the ankles. Today, 'Fußfessel' often means an electronic monitoring device, not necessarily a heavy metal shackle. The words can be confused because both have to do with restraints and the police or punishment. When the hands are restrained, you say 'Handschellen'; when it is about the foot or electronic monitoring, you say 'Fußfessel'.
Der Verurteilte darf zu Hause bleiben, muss aber eine elektronische Fußfessel tragen.
The convicted offender is allowed to stay at home, but must wear an electronic ankle monitor.
Nach der Festnahme wurden dem Mann Handschellen angelegt.
After the arrest, the man was put in handcuffs.