There have been damning admissions in the fallout from a violent prisoner’s escape from custody at a Perth hospital at the weekend.
Laurie John Dodd, 44, was not handcuffed while being guarded by private contractors and one of the guards went within reach of the prisoner before being put in a headlock and forced to release him.
Even more perplexing is the revelation that Dodd had not been re-categorised as high-risk by Corrective Services despite a police pursuit, punching a police dog and injuring a policeman last week.
His category remained at low-risk.
“If Dodd has been arrested in a violent manner and expressing violent tendencies then that has to go to his security rating,” Corrective Services Minister Fran Logan said.
The police manhunt has been continuing since he busted out of Royal Perth Hospital, caught a bus and was later joined by a girlfriend.
Mr Logan says the contractors will be fined $500,000 for their mistakes in managing Dodd.
He said the company knew he was supposed to have been handcuffed rather than just having his leg locked to the hospital bed.
The Opposition says Mr Logan should be replaced.
“You know perfectly well you and your department was responsible for managing a dangerous criminal and you failed to do so and have now put the community at risk,” said Liberal spokesman Sean L’Estrange.
It was also revealed Dodd is associated with an outlaw motorcycle club in WA, which could complicate his recapture for police.
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Source: 9News