CHAPTER 15. SECURITY OBJECTIVE The judicial authorities should send to prison only those men and women who have committed such serious offences that imprisonment is the only reasonable punishment or those from whom the public needs to be protected. The objective of this chapter is to show that, within that context, prison staff have a clear responsibility to protect the public by ensuring that prisoners do not escape from lawful custody. ESSENTIAL PRINCIPLES Use of force, including use of firearms, to prevent escape should be employed only when less extreme means are insufficient to prevent the escape. Restraints may be used as a precaution against escape during transfer for no longer than strictly necessary, provided that they are removed when the prisoner appears before a judge or administrative authority, or on medical grounds. Instruments of restraint shall never be applied as a punishment. Chains and irons shall not be used as restraints. BASIS IN INTERNATIONAL INSTRUMENTS Principle 9 of the Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials requires that: Law enforcement officials shall not use firearms against persons except … to prevent his or her escape, and only when less extreme means are insufficient to achieve [this objective]. … Rule 33 of the Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners provides that: Instruments of restraint, such as handcuffs, chains, irons and straitjackets, shall never be applied as a punishment. Furthermore, chains or irons shall not be used as restraints. Other instruments of restraint shall not be used except in the following circumstances: (a) As a precaution against escape during a transfer, provided that they shall be removed when the prisoner appears before a judicial or administrative authority; 85