(1) Whosoever frees a prisoner, or encourages him to or supports him in the escape, shall be liable to imprisonment not exceeding three years or a fine.

(2) If the offender is under a duty as a public official or a person entrusted with special public service functions to prevent the escape of the prisoner the penalty shall be imprisonment not exceeding five years or a fine.

(3) The attempt shall be punishable.

(4) A person otherwise in detention in an institution upon order of a public authority shall be equivalent to a prisoner within the meaning of subsections (1) and (2) above.