SOME 6937 inmates escaped from SA prisons between June 30, 1992 and June 1 last year, an average of nearly 1000 prisoners a year. However the number of prisoners absconding was on the decline, Correctional Services Ben Skosana said on Tuesday. In 1996, 1244 prisoners escaped. In 1997 this number fell to 989 and in 1998 to 498. In the first six months of last year 217 prisoners escaped. Steps had been taken to prevent escapes, including the erection of electric fences around prisons, the criminal prosecution of officials aiding escapees and the introduction of rewards for prisoners who helped foil jail breaks, Skosana said in reply to a question in Parliament.