Earlier this week, a jail break was foiled after prison authorities received a tip off and several sharp implements and steel bars were discovered during searches.
According to reports, police were informed. However, police in Berbice claimed ignorance of both the escape attempt and the notorious gang.
Contacted last evening, Home Affairs Minister, Clement Rohee said it was unfair for this newspaper to ask him to respond to information received from a source. When asked about an attempted jail break, he inquired where this newspaper got that information from. When told that it came from a source, he instructed this newspaper to go back to the source and get some more information. Later he said that he was not prepared to comment on anything that came from a source.
Speaking on the condition of anonymity, the source said that a group of nine males is housed in the Number Two dormitory. Although inmates are not supposed to access the area during the daylight hours, this group occupies the top flat of the three-storey building.
In addition, the source told this newspaper that the ‘Skeldon Crew, whose members are on some 15 charges each, ranging from trafficking in narcotics to robbery under arms, conducts a series of illegal activities. It is widely known, the source said, that the men have cellular phones and sell narcotics and other prohibited items in the prison.
Stabroek News was informed that the gang members have even threatened staff.
Meanwhile, the source said that on Tuesday a jailbreak was foiled at the prison after officials, acting on a tip off, discovered a two feet wide hole in the eastern wall of the solitary block. The hole was concealed with a mattress and a wet sheet. Also unearthed during the morning search were cutlasses, ‘jukkers,’ and steel rods shaped into crow bars.
According to a source, the solitary block, which is located on the lower flat of the same three-storey building, houses about ten “challenging” prisoners. Information revealed that in their escape bid, the prisoners would constantly wet the concrete surface prior to damaging it.
Meanwhile, occupants of the Number Two dormitory, are suspected to have been involved in the escape plot since they have access to the solitary block. This newspaper was told that the prisoners had almost completed their task when an inmate tipped off officials.
However, if the bid were successful, the source said, inmates would then have scaled the eastern zinc fence, 20 rods away, prior to accessing Winkle Road, east of the penitentiary, where there is a frequent flow of public transport.
