Was the jury present in the courtroom?
Generally, the person is unshackled when the jury is present or in the jury is only going to be out momentarily.
What I have seen done in one situaiton is to keep the defendant shackled, but in street clothes, the legs are hidden from the jury by a "modesty skirt" which goes around the table. The defendant and lawyers are instructed not to stand when the jury enters or leaves the room so as not to see the shackles. There was always an armed deputy in the back of the room. But that was just one unique incident.
I am just saying lets not knee jerk on this, because the reality is that the uneducated illiterates that populate the jury pools would be prejudiced by a defendant in a prison garb and shackles.
The fact that this guy was found with a shank in his shoe while entering the courtroom last week was grounds enough to put this guy in restraints and keep him there. Hopefully we'll find out why this incident wasn't dealt with in a more serious manner. It's against the law to try to smuggle weapons into a courtroom, etc. I'm wondering if he was ever charged with that crime. Probably not.
I don't like the idea of not rising for the jury. Was the defendant shackled at the wrist as well as ankles? What kept him from resting his arms on the table?
Personally, I like the remote-control taser belt idea. Ankle irons aren't obtrusive, either, and ought to be standard. They can even be bolted down to the floor or something.