§ Lord Aveburyasked Her Majesty's Government:
What advice they have sought from road safety organisations on the possible risks arising from the handcuffing of prisoners to a chain installed in a tube running beneath the seating of coaches used for transfers between London prisons and the Isle of Wight; and in particular, on what would happen if the staff who are supposed to operate the quick release pin enabling them to pull the chain clear in a matter of seconds in an emergency, are themselves too severely injured to act.
§ Lord EltonThe coaches use to transfer prisoners from London prisons to the Isle of Wight are the property of the Metropolitan Police. The installation of the security chain was designed and tested by Metropolitan Police vehicle engineers in consultation with the Prison Department. The advice of safety organisations was not sought but particular care was taken in designing the mechanism to ensure that prisoners could be released swiftly in the event of an accident.
The tests which were carried out showed that the prisoners could be released in seconds. Escorting officers are positioned both at the front and rear of the coach and it is most unlikely that none of them would be able to operate the quick release mechanism in the event of an accident.