Northern Ireland’s prisons failed to meet targets on security and safety last year, according to the annual report for the Prison Service.
The report for 2001/2002, published today, also showed almost 350 drug finds were made in Northern Ireland's prisons during the year.
Director General, Mr Peter Russell, said significant progress had been made in tackling drugs misuse, with the introduction of voluntary testing.
But the report showed performance targets on security and safety had not been meet.
Three medium risk prisoners had escaped, two while under prison escort from a Belfast hospital and the other while being transported back to prison from hospital.
The report also said the number of prisoners assaulted by other inmates was higher than the target. The ratio of those attacked was 11.2 against a target of 8.8 per 100 prisoners.
Mr Russell said the report had shown that although the targets for security and safety were not met, there were many successes.
"The service's work in tackling drug misuse in prisons and establishing regimes designed to encourage prisoners to address their offending behaviour and reduce the risk of offending are particularly noteworthy."
The North’s Security Minister Ms Jane Kennedy expressed satisfaction that nine out of the 11 key performance targets set by the service were met.
"These figures reflect a creditable performance by the service, achieved against a backdrop of reducing costs," she said.
PA