asked the Minister for Justice if he will outline the circumstances under which a prisoner from Limerick prison escaped from the custody of two prison officers on 18 July 1988 while he was being escorted to his home on a visit; the reason handcuffs were not used on this occasion; and if it is common practice not to use handcuffs where prisoners are involved in outside visits.
Written Answers. - Prisoner Escape.
113.
On 18 July 1988 an offender — who had been on two escorted outings previously which had not given rise to difficulty — was brought to visit his father's home under escort by two members of the prison service. During the course of the visit the offender managed to run from the house and evaded attempts by the prison staff to apprehend him. Later that day the offender was apprehended by gardaí and subsequently returned to prison where he was dealt with under prison disciplinary regulations.
It is not the invariable practice to use handcuffs where prisoners are involved in outside visits and the use or non-use of handcuffs falls to be determined in the light of all the circumstances obtaining in relation to a particular escort. I would not consider it appropriate to detail the considerations which led to the use or non-use of handcuffs in a particular case.