The prison officers whose standard sedan was rammed off the road on Friday by a stolen Jeep were "sitting ducks", ACT Liberals' spokesperson on corrections Elizabeth Kikkert says.
"The minister is putting our corrections officers at further risk in what is already a dangerous job," Mrs Kikkert said.
Seven months ago, the independent Inspector of Correctional Services Neil McAllister reported the process which led to the acquisition of a standard mid-sized Toyota Camry sedan to carry at-risk prisoners was flawed.
Corrections officers told the inspector the Camry was "unfit for purpose" and so it proved last week when in a brazen and dangerous incident, the Toyota transporting inmate Kane Quinn from prison to Canberra Hospital was repeatedly rammed and forced off the road.
With the help of his accomplice driving the Jeep, Quinn escaped custody. He was later recaptured in Lyneham. He and Lila Walto, both 28, have since faced charges relating to the incident.
Ms Kikkert said it was astounding the Camry was being used when clearly it was unsuitable.
"The minister has had numerous opportunities since then [last year] to fix this, including when union delegates raised this issue just last month," she said.
She said dash cam footage showed the Camry being treated "like a ragdoll" on the streets of Griffith by a much bigger vehicle. Later there was also footage released showing the brave actions of officers attempting to prevent the detainee escaping.
"The minister has much to answer for," she said.
"Why were these officers not armed with Tasers or capsicum spray? Why, when the inspector declared [it] unsuitable, did the minister continue to use this vehicle?"
