An internal review into how an inmate escaped from a sheriff’s van in Nova Scotia has found that sheriffs did not follow proper policy and procedures and that some equipment failed.

Marc Joseph Pellerin was being transported from New Brunswick to Nova Scotia on Dec. 4 for a court appearance when he escaped while being moved from one vehicle to another in the parking lot of the Justice Centre in Truro, N.S.

The RCMP arrested the 43-year-old Moncton man in Stewiacke, N.S. on Dec. 7.

The Nova Scotia Justice Department says an internal review into the incident is now complete and admit, mistakes were made.

The review found that a number of important policies were not followed, including completing a risk assessment, performing proper checks, ensuring radios and cameras were accessible and working properly, and ensuring restraints were in place before Pellerin left the vehicle.

"Mistakes were made, some important procedures were not followed," said Attorney General and Justice Minister Diana Whalen in a statement Monday.

"I am very disappointed, and I've ensured that immediate action will be taken."

The review found that Pellerin was properly restrained in handcuffs and leg irons while he was being transported in the sheriff’s vehicle. However, the review says he managed to free himself from the handcuffs “due to a unique ability to contort his hand.” He then freed himself from his leg irons.

The equipment has also been sent to the manufacturer to determine if there was a malfunction.

"This was a combination of human error and equipment failure that we take seriously," said Fred Hildebrand, director of Sheriff Services. "It is clear that we need to do a better job of making sure our staff are following our policies and procedures, and we are committed to doing the training, equipment review, and policy updates needed."

Hildebrand says a risk assessment would have alerted sheriffs that the prisoner had escaped before.

“I wouldn't say corners were cut. I believe they were very busy. They missed a step. They missed a critical step,” said Hildebrand.

Justice officials say the risk assessment policy has been updated as a result of the report and additional training for sheriffs will be required. Key policies relating to radios and closed circuit television use will also be updated, as recommended in the review.

The sheriffs' physical fitness is also now being questioned.

“We're going to be reviewing the policy on that,” said Whalen. “Everybody who enters the sheriffs’ service does go through a physical fitness test, and I double checked on that, but it is not done repeatedly,” said Whalen.

Joan Jessome is the president of the union representing the sheriffs. She says the report shouldn't have been released until that determination was made – and that’s not all.

“What risk assessments? Are they being done on a regular basis? Are the staff being trained to do them? Do they have the time to do them?” said Jessome.

Neither the sheriff services director nor the minister will say whether anyone will lose their job.

With files from CTV Atlantic’s Kayla Hounsell.