Prison officers say new measures announced by the Minister for Justice to improve officer safety when transporting prisoners are not enough.

Frances Fitzgerald has confirmed to the Prison Officers Association conference that those escorting high-risk prisoners are to be issued with bullet and stab proof vests, and pepper spray.

An expert group recommended a number of changes for prisoner escorts, following the escape of Derek Brockwell from Tallaght hospital in February, during which two prison officers were seriously injured.

However the association’s Deputy General Secretary Jim Mitchell says the Minister's announcement does not go far enough, and amounts to just 11 vests per institution.

“We obviously welcome the development but we don’t think it goes far enough, Mr Mtichell said.

“She’s giving 160 for escorts - we have 3000 members across 14 institutions. That works out at about 11 per institution.

”The reality is (with) the amount of people going out and the level of highly volatile prisoners it’s not enough,” he added.