Symbolism, Imagery, Allegory
Mr. Pugh makes Reese wear handcuffs even when it isn't necessary. (Reese is violent occasionally, but only when he's under duress—and even then, never toward authority figures.) The cuffs are like a prop that represents Mr. Pugh's authority, and Reese's lack thereof.
Understandably, Reese resents the cuffs, especially when Mr. Pugh busts them out in displays intended for other people. This is what happens on Reese's first day at Evergreen, the nursing home where he goes as part of his work program. "Mr. Pugh showed up at five minutes to four and made a motion for me to turn around," Reese tells us. "Sucker didn't have to do that and he knew it. I turned around and he handcuffed me with the receptionist looking. That made me feel bad, but I knew he wanted me to feel bad" (1.64-1.65). Mr. Pugh knows that Reese doesn't need to be restrained; the cuffs are just for show, an exercise of power over an already-pretty powerless kid.