A shortage of staff to man the Mazaruni Prisons may have played a role in Sunday’s escape of two prisoners from the Region Seven facility.
This is according to Crime Chief Seelall Persaud who told this newspaper yesterday that there has still been no sign of Sean Hopkinson, 27, of Blue Berry Hill, Linden and Carlton Sampson, 26, of Crane, West Coast Demerara (WCD).
Persaud stated that as the police and prison authorities continue to hunt for the duo, their places of abode will be searched.
He said that the Mazaruni Prisons have been affected severely by a shortage of staff and he noted that this may have played in role in Sunday’s escape of the two prisoners.
A source close to the prisons told Stabroek News last evening that staff members have been working overtime within the past several months due to a staff shortage.
He said that this has proven difficult for prison officers to carry out their duties effectively since the prison population has grown.
Repeated attempts by this newspaper to obtain a comment from Director of Prisons, Dale Erskine on the issue have been futile.
According to the Crime Chief, based on information gleaned so far from the investigations the duo was playing football just before they went missing. Reports are that the men left the facility with little or no security present and it took hours before the prison warders realised that they were missing.
The Joint Services have been combing the Region Seven area while police stations and outposts across the country have been alerted about the escape.
According to the police, Hopkinson and Sampson were among others who were on a recreational break in the prison compound when they were discovered missing at about 1 pm on Sunday.
Hopkinson was serving concurrent three-year sentences for robbery under arms, unlawful possession of firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition. Sampson was serving sentences for robbery under arms and escape from lawful custody.
In September 2008, Sampson had escaped from the Grove Police Station on the East Bank Demerara (EBD) and a few days later he was shot in his thigh during a confrontation with the police.
The man’s injury has resulted in him walking with a limp, a police source noted on Monday.
