Ellis and his hands

Chief tells us multiple times, like on page 31, that Ellis has his hands nailed to the walls in the day room during the hours they are in that room. There are many possibilities for the significance of this. Is it a Biblical reference (Jesus with his hands nailed to the crucifix), or something else? I do not particularly think this is a Biblical reference since Ellis is also described as having pee running down his leg, but what else could it be?
Perhaps it's just simply explaining how helpless Ellis truly is?
The statement has a certain amount of brutality attached to it - Chief tell us Ellis's hands themselves are nailed to the wall, yet we want to believe that it is not his actual hands nailed to the wall, maybe his shirt, or perhaps it is just that he stands there like that with his hands against the wall?

I am not sure of what to make of Ellis at the present time - any thoughts?