Prisoner transport vehicle
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A prisoner transport vehicle is a specially designed or retrofitted vehicle, usually a van or bus, used to transport prisoners from one secure area, such as a prison or courthouse, to another. Less commonly, aircraft may also be similarly fitted. These vehicles must be highly protected and may feature bars or wire mesh over the windows, bulletproof glass, segregated prisoner compartments, and additional seating for escorting officers. Due to their relatively low security and potential isolation from assistance while en route, police or additional corrections vehicles sometimes escort high-risk transports. With this in mind, vehicles may also be equipped with radio communications, global positioning units, additional restraints and weapons, and other emergency equipment.
Prisoner transport vehicles may be operated by police services (see paddywagon), correctional services, court services, state agencies such as the United States Marshals Service, or be contracted to private security companies.
[edit] Appearances in Popular Culture
Several movies and video games begin with the protagonist being transported in a prisoner transport vehicle that is involved in an accident. One film example is The Fugitive and two examples from recent (as of 2007) video games are Grand Theft Auto 3 and Kane and Lynch.
Prisoner transport vehicles feature in many other escape scenes as well. This may be due to the aforementioned security concerns that could be more easily exploited than in a more secure setting. Another factor is production costs in that redressing a bus can be far less costly than recreating a prison setting, particularly for an escape scenario.
