page_title: Prisoner transport
section_title: Issues
hierarchical_section_title: Prisoner transport / Issues
caption_attribution_description: English: Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Cell Van used by Immigration Enforcement
context_page_description: Prisoner transport is the transportation of prisoners by law enforcement agencies or contractors.
  In order to extradite a suspected or convicted criminal from one jurisdiction to another, a rendition aircraft may be used, although the high cost involved means that it is normally used only to transport the most dangerous of prisoners; more commonly, a person being extradited would simply be put onto a commercial airliner, albeit escorted by law enforcement officers. One notable example of a prisoner transported on a commercial airliner was that of Christopher Tappin, a Briton extradited to the United States in February 2012 to face American charges of selling arms parts to Iran. Tappin was flown on United Airlines flights from London Heathrow Airport to El Paso, Texas via Houston accompanied, but not handcuffed, by US Marshals at all times. After arriving in El Paso, Tappin was transported to Otero County jail in New Mexico before his first court hearing in El Paso.
context_section_description: Prisoner transport is risky due to the fact that dangerous inmates are temporarily introduced into a public environment. Specially designed prisoner transport vehicles are used to fulfill security requirements. Many inmates see this time as an opportunity to escape. Some inmates prepare for escape during transport by bringing along tiny objects (e.g. paper clips) that can be used to pick the locks of their handcuffs prior to escape from the vehicles.
  Law enforcement agencies, aware of this, often take extra security measures on inmates being transported, especially those who are more prone to escape or violence. This includes additional forms of restraint on the bodies, more secure vehicles, and escorts from additional law enforcement agents. Many transports are started at night to minimize the chance of harm to civilians.
caption: A Cell Van used by UK Immigration Enforcement to safely transport offenders
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