The Department of Prisons has established two specialist units to handle prisoner escorts outside prison facilities, following a recent escape of a convicted murderer serving a life sentence.
The new units, formed under directives from Justice and Public Order Minister Marios Hartsiotis, will handle separate responsibilities – one focusing on general prisoner escorts and the other specifically managing inmate transfers for hospital care.
The development comes after officials discovered there were no formal protocols governing prisoner transfers outside correctional facilities.
The specialist teams, staffed by specially trained personnel, will operate under new detailed protocols designed to enhance security during prisoner movements.
These protocols provide comprehensive guidance for all scenarios requiring prisoner transport to and from prison facilities, including measures to ensure staff safety.
Sources familiar with the matter told philenews that the new framework includes, for the first time, a specific risk assessment tool to evaluate prisoner danger levels during transfers or escorted leaves.
The implementation of these measures follows direct orders from the justice minister after the escape incident highlighted security gaps in the previous system.
Read more:
