In its simplest form, the straitjacket escape involves the use of a straitjacket only, whereas other forms of this escape include having shackles locked on the feet or being bound by chains and padlocks. And for the truly daring, a combination of all three.

A straitjacket is an item of clothing, a bit like a jacket, but with extra long sleeves and fastened at the back. The sleeve ends are typically sewn shut which denies use of the hands and the ends of the sleeves can be tied to the back of whoever is wearing the straitjacket, so their arms are unable to move about. See the Strait-Jacket Sensation.

The straitjacket also has about six belts and buckles on the back which, even if your arms were free, you can imagine they would be difficult to unfasten.
There is also, usually, a crotch-strap to stop the straitjacket being lifted straight over the wearer’s head.

Some magicians prefer to do the escape away from the audiences view but the best ones will do it in full vision of the audience, so they can see the escape in all its glory.

The escape from a straitjacket was popularised by Houdini and in one of his more popular acts, Houdini would escape from a straitjacket while hanging upside down from a skyscraper.

Imagine…
A member of the audience examines the straitjacket, it all seems in order. The belts and buckles are tied behind Houdini’s back. His arms are crossed and belted together behind his back. The crotch strap is secured. His ankles are secured with rope from which he dangles from a tall office building. He can’t reach for the buckles. He can’t move any part of his body. The audience watch him twist and contort, struggling to free himself. Then, in full view of the audience, he escapes!

The straitjacket is a key part of any escapologist’s inventory and the straitjacket escape still endures to this day.