Call for inquiry into how prisoner Sean Tate was able to escape from guards

There have been calls for an internal inquiry by the Northern Ireland Prison Service into how a prisoner was able to escape from two prison guards while on temporary escorted leave.

Convicted kidnapper Sean Tate has been on the run since Friday. He is one of seven prisoners currently unlawfully at large. 

The 47-year-old received an indeterminate sentence for a series of crimes committed in 2020, including kidnap, robbery and possession of an offensive weapon.

At the time of sentencing a judge described his crimes as "appalling."

The Probation Service told the sentencing court at the time that Tate represented a "significant risk of serious harm to others." 

Stewart Dickson, justice spokesperson for the Alliance party, said the Prison Service must carry out an urgent review into the circumstances of this case. 

"Apart from the fact that a prisoner escaped, this is someone who has committed a series of crimes and there are victims who today will be worried and concerned that a prisoner is at large," he added. 

A spokesperson for NIPS said: “The Prison Service urges anyone with information on the whereabouts of Sean Tate to contact the PSNI immediately.  We would also urge Mr Tate to hand himself into the nearest police station.

“Pre-release testing is a vital part of rehabilitation and resettlement and this will include temporary periods of release.  

“After being fully risk assessed, they begin graduated release into the community, firstly under supervision then progressing to short periods of unaccompanied release where they work in the community.

“The reality is that some will fail this test and will be returned to prison while others will progress back into the community. Pre-release testing is an essential part of rehabilitation, not just for the individual but also for the wider community in Northern Ireland.

“Sean Tate absconded while being tested in the community prior to his release. The circumstances surrounding his abscondment are being reviewed by the Prison Service.”

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