A notorious north-east murderer attacked a prison escort while being transported in a family car.
Steven Jackson, who was locked up for 26 years for beating and stabbing to death Kimberley MacKenzie in 2017, was sentenced to a further 18 months for the attack which took place in October.
A Sunday Post investigation has revealed that violent criminals, including murderers and other high-risk prisoners, are being driven between jails and courts in ordinary cars after the escort service was privatised.
Custody officers have revealed a spate of violent incidents have taken place inside the cars which endangered their lives and risked crash
Jackson punched a prison custody officer (PCO) on the head as she drove at 60mph on the A90 Aberdeen to Fraserburgh road.
She was one of three prison custody officers in a Citreon Picasso travelling at 60mph on the A90 in October when the murderer attacked the driver near the Toll of Birness.
The former PCO, who has since quit, said: “I still suffer flashbacks about my near-death experiences, and I can get quite upset just thinking about what could have happened that day when Steven Jackson lashed out.
“That incident was an awakening for me.
“I had to quit. I just couldn’t have got into a car with a prisoner again, knowing what might go wrong.”
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Jackson was jailed for 26 years in 2017 for beating and stabbing to death mother-of-three Kimberley MacKenzie in Montrose before cutting up her body in a bath.
His sentence has now been extended for his assault.
Cal Waterson, Scotland organiser for the GMB trade union, who represents the officer, said: “They’re paid about £9 an hour to work in environments like this with no support when things go belly up. It would be a farce if it wasn’t so serious. I fear it’s going to take an incident where a life is lost before a simple change is made.”
Leicester-based GeoAmey was the only bidder for Scotland’s £238 million eight-year prisoner escort contract and took over from G4S in January.
It is understood G4S and Serco pulled out of the tendering process over fears the contract would not be profitable enough.
G4S previously used cars to transport prisoners and GeoAmey has continued the practice, despite concerns from unions and politicians.
However, GeoAmey stressed no staff had been assaulted while using cars since it assumed responsibilities.
The firm said new barriers had been tested in some cars and would now be installed throughout the fleet.
The Scottish Prison Service said: “The contractor carries out dynamic risk assessments and they will make the judgement about the best mode of transport. It is a matter for them.”