Given the cost of transporting these animals wouldnt it be cheaper and safer to just have a decently equipped med centre in the prison that a doctor could come in and use when needed that they could be treated in without risking them escaping or am I just being far too sensible here.
Far too sensible and dare I say "old fashioned". That is how it used to be before the bean-counters and the "rights" brigade got at the system. Most prisons still have a "Hospital" wing but these are staffed by a nurse/orderly. Doctors "visit" as required but many GPs do not like doing such visits (just as many dislike being "Police Surgeons" and refuse to go to the nick if asked). For specialist treatment hospital is the only option and the authoritities live in fear of some scrote being really ill or even dying due to a "lack of care" being provided so they err on the side of caution. Hospital visits are apparently a daily routine.
Ex Son in Law is a Prison Officer and told me these things so I have to believe them to be true.
I have to agree that, having escaped once, the authorities should have been more aware but when the woolley minded, young Asian doctors object to the presence of a burly warder attached by steel handcuffs to the patient during treatment there is not much they can do. (Back to 'is 'uman right to privacy etc)
The other problems are costs and manpower shortages.