Guards in prison tower were likely asleep during early morning escape by three prisoners at Lusignan jail

"The escape actually occurred between tower two and three, where there were several ranks deployed in those towers and in keeping with reviews that we would have done since the last escape, ranks are no longer detailed to work twelve hours. They work for six hours which means that they should be focused and vigilant during their period of duty". 

Guards in prison tower were likely asleep during early morning escape by three prisoners at Lusignan jail

Director of Prisons, Gladwin Samuels, is not taking any blame for this morning’s escape by three inmates of the Lusignan jail.

At a press conference this afternoon, Mr. Samuels explained that the prison guards on duty in the towers must have been asleep or “not alert” when the three prisoners scaled the fence of the prison.

He said security video recordings show the men climbing over the fence at different times and even had time before they escaped to part the razor wire on top of the fence.

“The escape actually occurred between tower two and three, where there were several ranks deployed in those towers and in keeping with reviews that we would have done since the last escape, ranks are no longer detailed to work twelve hours. They work for six hours which means that they should be focused and vigilant during their period of duty”.

Based on video evidence, the three prisoners were able to scale the fence just after 4:30 am. They were not discovered missing until close to 6 am.

“The first prisoner crossed at 4:29 and the last at 4:32. However prior to the prisoners going over the fence, they would have made a lot of effort in parting the razor wire for them to go through”.

Mr. Samuels said the prison officers who were on duty have been placed under close arrest and it is likely that the Police Force has taken the same action for its officers who were on duty in the towers.

A search for the three men is continuing all across the city and its environs, especially along the East Coast Demerara.  The Prison Director said there have been reports of sightings of “strange men” in some communities, but those searches have turned up empty handed.

One of the prisoners has been identified as murder accused, Travis Evans. He was on remand and is originally from the Sophia area.

The other two have been identified as Sudesh Dyal and Dextroy Pollard. The two were both in jail for break and enter and larceny.

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