A RANGE of new measures to control the State's most violent prisoners is being introduced by the prison service.
They include new prison vans, more restrictive handcuffs and two types of long batons for use by prison officers handling dangerous prisoners.
The new measures were detailed as the Prison Officer's Association devoted the second day of its annual conference in Waterford to discussing increasing violence against them by prisoners. Officers welcomed the new measures but some called for more stringent security including waist belts which could hold a prisoner's arms by the side when under escort.
Two new Mercedes vans are being tried out, and were bought following a spate of escapes last year by prisoners being escorted between jails or to the courts. Each van has two small cells with lockable doors inside, so that prisoners do not have contact with officers during the trip. They also have internal and external security cameras - the latter so that, staff can observe any attempt from outside to free a prisoner. The vehicles have extra wheels; and are reinforced against ramming, and carry two way radios so that escort officers can communicate immediately with their jails.. Previously, radios had only a limited range around each jail.
Officers are now being equipped with new handcuffs which feature a short piece of metal between the wrists and which, when grabbed by a prison officer, can force a prisoner's hands up into a locked position.
New telescopic polycarbonate batons are also being tested. They can be flicked open and extend from 10 ins to 3 1/2 ft. In addition a rigid, long baton with side handles is also on trial. Favoured by US police forces, which call them "the nightstick", they extend behind the handle to project the officer's carrying arm.
Officers agreed the new security measures were not required for every prisoner, but a "categorisation" of prisoners would ensure they were used for those known to present a high risk.