False imprisonment is an act punishable under criminal law as well as under tort law. Under tort law, it is classified as an intentional tort.Learn the difference between the tort and the crime of false imprisonment, the elements of a claim, and how it differs from false arrest and kidnapping. False imprisonment occurs when a person intentionally and illegally restrains another person's ability to move freely. It is a complete defense, however, to a claim of false imprisonment if the defendant restrained or arrested the plaintiff with legal authority or justification. False imprisonment is an intentional tort and that means you can sue for compensation. 4. Implied consent based on emergency has been recognized as an affirmative defense to the tort of false imprisonment. False Imprisonment is defined as a restraint of a person in a bounded area without justification or consent. (e) False Arrest and False Imprisonment. False imprisonment primarily applies to prisoners who are wrongfully confined in special housing units or on keeplock.