Vasco, May 30 (HERALD): In the last five years, over six cases of inmates escaping the custody of the escort police were reported. Yet, the police escort cell hasn’t learnt from its mistakes. Broken windows in an escort bus which ferries inmates to and from the Sada sub-jail is proof of this. In fact, the dilapidated condition of all escort buses is a major hindrance to efficient escort services.

“I forwarded a formal request to provide 200 additional police escort staff and seven new vehicles so that the escort cell can function smoothly. Lack of this is the reason the escort police finds it difficult to ferry prisoners safely,” said Deputy Superintendent of Police Rohidas Patre, police escort cell in-charge. However, he claimed he had no information about the broken windows on the escort bus bearing registration number GA-01-G-2014.

The escort cell has nine buses to ferry inmates from jails to courts and hospitals. “We have three big and two small buses at Sada jail, two in Panjim and two in Mapusa. We require specially-designed prisoner vans. As we don’t have such vans we are using normal buses,” said Patre.

Interestingly, the topic of escort vans is raised in every monthly meeting with the principal sessions judge. The Police Department requests the Home Ministry for vans, to no avail.

“This issue is like a regular agenda, but the proposal remains pending. I feel the Home Department should act and resolve the issue before it’s too late,” says Prisons IGP Elvis Gomes.

According to the police escort cell, the issue of broken windows had been brought to the notice of the mechanical training section of Goa Police a month ago. An inspection was conducted and measurements taken. The cell was asked to continue using the bus till it was repaired, but even a month later no repairs have been conducted.