49.—(1) Where in any case, from the gravity of the offence for which any prisoner may be in custody or for any other reason, the Superintendent considers it to be desirable to take special measures for the security of the prisoner while under treatment in a hospital, mental hospital or place, the Superintendent may give the prisoner into the charge of at least 2 fit and proper persons, one of whom at the least must always be with the prisoner day and night.
(2) Such persons are vested with full power and authority to do all things necessary to prevent the prisoner from escaping, and are answerable for the prisoner’s safe custody until such time that the prisoner is handed over to a prison officer on the prisoner’s discharge from the hospital, mental hospital or place or until such time as his or her sentence expires, whichever may first occur.