Prison Service cut transport costs with new economy vehicle fleet

The Northern Ireland Prison Service has slashed its vehicle maintenance costs by 50% in the last three years

The savings has been achieved by replacing much of its vehicle fleet with the most environmentally responsible vehicles available.

Prison Escorting and Court Custody Service (PECCS), based at Maghaberry Prison, maintain and service a fleet of 99 prison service vehicles including cellular vans, mini buses and lorries. A new electric 7-seater Nissan car is the latest addition to the fleet, to be used by prison staff for the transport of prisoners to hospital appointments and work placements.

Every year around 18,000 prisoners are escorted to and from courts, prisons, hospitals, police custody, interviews and the juvenile detention centre by PECCS officers.

Austin Treacy, Director of Prisons said: “In line with the Northern Ireland Prison Service Sustainability Strategy, we have actively sought to reduce the carbon emissions of our fleet in recent years. We are now well on our way to having replaced more than 80% of the fleet with the most environmentally responsible category of diesel vehicles available.

“Not alone has this helped us reduce our carbon footprint, but it has also brought considerable savings in maintenance, service and fuel costs.”

Head of PECCS, Alan Platt, added: “The work of Prison Escort and Court Custody Service 170staff largely goes unnoticed, but they are an integral part of the justice system.

“On a daily basis PECCS officers escort prisoners to and from courts, prisons, hospitals and police custody. An extensive fleet of vehicles is obviously required to undertake this transportation and PECCS ensure the smooth running of this service.

There is however, considerable costs associated with all of this but the move to a carbon-cleaner and more economical means of transport has meant we have been able to reduce those maintenance costs and also meet ever decreasing budgets.”

To learn more about the work of the Prison Escort and Court Custody Service click on this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lXAMUL8bwY

Notes to editors: 

1. The Prison Escorting and Court Custody Service (PECCS) based at Maghaberry Prison, are a prisoner transport and escorting service for adult males, adult females, young people and children within the criminal justice system
2. Media enquiries should be directed to the Department of Justice Press Office via email at: press.office@justice-ni.x.gsi.gov.uk
3. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours’ service for media enquiries between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted out of hours on 028 9037 8110.

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