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Essen prisoner escape reveals universal ankle cuff keys available online
North Rhine-Westphalia Justice Minister Benjamin Limbach has informed the state parliament's legal committee that the ankle cuffs used during a recent prisoner escape in Essen could be opened with a universal key available online for under 10 euros.
In mid-October, a 34-year-old inmate from Essen Prison was being escorted by two justice officials to a medical appointment in downtown Essen. In a stairwell, two masked men overpowered the officials, allowing the prisoner and his accomplices to flee. The investigation is ongoing to determine if the accomplices purchased the key online or received assistance from a prison employee.
This incident follows a previous revelation in February when a detainee in Bavaria opened his handcuffs, revealing that North Rhine-Westphalia police use the same model. While the state government previously noted that the justice system uses a comparable restraint system for ankle cuffs, the recent escape has prompted a full review of procedures and precautions regarding prisoner transport.
Entities
Bavaria · Benjamin Limbach · Essen · Essen Prison · North Rhine-Westphalia Ministry of Justice
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 6 SOURCES] The ankle cuffs used on the escaped prisoner could be opened with a universal key. supertipp-online.de · www.halternerzeitung.de · www.waltroper-zeitung.de · www.stimberg-zeitung.de · www.upday.com · +1 more
- [● 6 SOURCES] A previous incident in February revealed that North Rhine-Westphalia police use the same handcuff model that was opened in Bavaria. supertipp-online.de · www.halternerzeitung.de · www.waltroper-zeitung.de · www.stimberg-zeitung.de · www.upday.com · +1 more
- [● 6 SOURCES] Authorities are investigating whether the accomplices bought the key online or received help from a prison employee. supertipp-online.de · www.halternerzeitung.de · www.waltroper-zeitung.de · www.stimberg-zeitung.de · www.upday.com · +1 more
- [● 6 SOURCES] Two masked men overpowered two justice officials in a stairwell in Essen. supertipp-online.de · www.halternerzeitung.de · www.waltroper-zeitung.de · www.stimberg-zeitung.de · www.upday.com · +1 more
- [● 3 SOURCES] The justice ministry is reviewing procedures and precautions for prisoner transport. supertipp-online.de · www.upday.com · www.wz.de
- [● 6 SOURCES] Universal keys for the cuffs are available on the internet for under 10 euros. supertipp-online.de · www.halternerzeitung.de · www.waltroper-zeitung.de · www.stimberg-zeitung.de · www.upday.com · +1 more
- [● 6 SOURCES] The escaped prisoner is a 34-year-old from JVA Essen. supertipp-online.de · www.halternerzeitung.de · www.waltroper-zeitung.de · www.stimberg-zeitung.de · www.upday.com · +1 more
- [● 6 SOURCES] No counterfeit keys were found at the home of a JVA Essen official arrested on suspicion of corruption. supertipp-online.de · www.halternerzeitung.de · www.waltroper-zeitung.de · www.stimberg-zeitung.de · www.upday.com · +1 more