Ministry of Justice warns sold-off prison vans ‘could be used in escapes’

Author: Category: Greg's Blog

  • Prison chiefs believe sale of the vans could enable criminals to pose as guards

By
James Millbank


PUBLISHED:

17:00 EST, 21 April 2012

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UPDATED:

17:00 EST, 21 April 2012

Private security firms are selling decommissioned prison vehicles that could be used to help dangerous inmates escape from jail, prison chiefs warned last night.

The Ministry of Justice is concerned that the sale of former Prison Service vans – used by firms such as G4S, Reliance and Serco to transport prisoners – could enable criminals to pose as prison guards and smuggle suspects and convicts away from hospitals or courts.

Fleets of the vehicles were decommissioned in January after new contracts were awarded to private firms GEOAmey and Serco to provide security services across the UK for the next seven years.

Sell-off: The vans – like this one – are used by security firms such as G4S, Reliance and Serco to transport prisoners

Before the transportation of inmates was outsourced to the private sector, out-of-service vans were destroyed.

The Ministry of Justice sent a security bulletin to all UK prisons last month, which warned: ‘We are advised that, whilst Prison Service vehicles that have reached the end of their service are destroyed, this is not the case with vehicles operated by private contractors.

‘Whilst the sale of such vehicles is lawful, it does give cause for concern. Criminal appropriation of such vehicles could pose a threat to prison security.’ The bulletin advises contacting the police if a vehicle gives ‘rise to suspicion’.

The vehicles, which started service in 2004 when private security companies first won Government contracts, can legally be offered for sale on the open market.

The vehicles, which started service in 2004 when private security companies such as G4S first won Government contracts, can legally be offered for sale on the open market

Glyn Travis, Assistant Secretary of the Prison Officers Association, said last night: ‘This is the first time discarded vehicles from the court escorts group have been put on the open market since these services were privatised.

‘One of these vehicles could be rebranded and people with uniforms, which can be purchased, could use it to access an area where they knew a certain prisoner was due to be escorted out.

They could facilitate the escape of a dangerous prisoner. Prisons and prisoners should be the responsibility of the State and not contracted out.’

ATE Truck And Trailer Sales, based in Wolverhampton, has sold several former prison vehicles over the past few months.

It is currently offering a number of Iveco prison wagons. One, which weighs ten tons and includes a guard seat, computer and 12 cells in the back, is available for £7,500.

Tristan Perry, of ATE, said: ‘They are selling really well. A few buyers wanted to strip them and use them as horse boxes. To be honest, I have no idea what else you would want to do with them. Maybe some families use them for naughty kids!

‘I can see why the Ministry of Justice would be worried, though, because criminals might use them to try to slip their pals out of jail.’

A number of the vehicles have also been offered in public auctions since January.

An MoJ spokesman said: ‘There are a range of measures in place designed to prevent impersonation of staff and contractors who work within the prison system.’

Article source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2133253/Ministry-Justice-warns-sold-prison-vans-used-escapes.html?ITO=1490

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