Manhunt continues…
All efforts being made to recapture prison escapees
DPI, Guyana, Thursday, October 18, 2018
Director of Prisons (ag), Gladwin Samuels says all efforts are being made to recapture the three prison escapees.
They are Travis Evans, who was on remand for murder; Dextroy Pollard, convicted for break and entry; and Sudesh Dyal, who is on remand for break and enter, and escape from lawful custody.
“I can assure the public that all efforts are still being made in order to have those prisoners recaptured and we will keep the public informed as it relates to progress but as of now, the three prisoners still remain at large,” Samuels told the Department of Public Information (DPI) on the sidelines of the 11th Parliament today.
The three prisoners escaped on October 15 at around 04:30hrs. During a press conference following the escape, Samuels pointed out that it was negligence on the part of the guards that allowed for the escape of the prisoners. According to the acting Prisons Director, there is no reason for them not to be alert since they only work six hours shifts compared to 12-hour shifts prior to the last prison break.
However, Samuels said that the manhunt continues for the escapees. He stated that “the teams are out and we are following all the leads that have been communicated to us. We also have persons who are seeking information on behalf of the services as it relates to the whereabouts of those inmates”.
Since the last two jailbreaks at the Camp Street Prison and at Lusignan Holding Bay, the government has taken all necessary steps to recapture those who escaped. All escapees from the Camp Street break were either recaptured or killed. However, Cobena Stephens a.k.a. OJ and Paul Goriah, who escaped from the Lusignan Prison, remain on the run, taking the total to five now at large.
Nevertheless, the government is doing everything necessary to ensure no more escapes occur. This includes the construction of another prison in the compound of the Mazaruni Prison to address overcrowding at the prisons in Region Four.
Additionally, inmates of the Lusignan Holding Bay are currently benefitting from a three-day substance prevention program executed by the Ministry of Social Protection, Probation and Social Services Department.
Senior Probation and Social Services Officer, Deborah Joseph urged inmates to look at where they stand as an opportunity to correct wrongs and access second chances wherever possible. “The prison system most time provides a temporary stay, by this I mean you are here only for a period of time, after which you are expected to be reintegrated into your households, communities and wider society… It is a place that will allow you to turn a new page in your life and a place you’re not expected to return to.”
Isaiah Braithwaite.
Images: Guyana Police Force.