A Corriverton man, who was convicted of larceny, yesterday escaped from the New Amsterdam Prison while working on the prison farms and three prison officers have been relieved of duties following the initial investigation.
Rameshwar Prakash, 21, of Lot 53 Princetown, Corriverton, was charged with the offence of larceny of items and was sentenced to eighteen months imprisonment on June 20. He was expected to be released on June 20, 2020.
However, Prakash under the pretext of wanting to go to the washroom while working on the farm, made good his escape sometime around midday yesterday.
According to a police source in Berbice, they received information yesterday afternoon that the escapee was heading to a location on the Corentyne. The source said that they were working to ascertain the exact location in effort to nab him at the earliest opportunity.
Director of Prisons Gladwin Samuels yesterday in a press statement disclosed that around 07:50 am “thirteen male prisoners were uplifted by two female prison officers to labour at the New Amsterdam Prison Farms.”
According to the statement, the prisoners were working at the Arable ‘B’ which is situated opposite the Prison Officers’ Club, and among the prisoners was Prakash.
However, Prakash reportedly requested to use a washroom that is on the opposite side of the road from where he was working. “From there it is alleged that he went into a house used by one of the female officers he was working with.”
The statement added, “The report indicated that he removed $17,000 and an electronic tablet from the officer’s room and made good his escape.”
It was reported that search teams consisting of police officers and prison officers were deployed in an effort to recapture Prakash.
The statement concluded by noting that, “Initial investigation suggests that there were breaches of Standing Orders and as a result, three officers have been relieved of their duty. They are required to report to the Prison daily at 08:00 hours, pending the out-come of investigations.”
