The Guyana Prison Service (GPS) is mourning the loss of former Prison Officer Roxanne Winfield.
In a statement, the GPS said that the 58-year-old, Winfield died yesterday at the Infectious Diseases Hospital at Liliendaal from severe lung and kidney complications.
Winfield was shot in her right eye when five notorious high-profile criminals made a bloody escape from Camp Street Jail on February 23, 2002.
At the time of the incident, Winfield was performing gate duty at the Camp Street Prison.
Thereafter, Winfield was declared medically unfit to function as a prison officer and was being cared for at home, the statement noted.
Winfield has been praised for her “heroic” actions by Director of Prison (ag) Nicklon Elliot.
“She did her job and she did exactly what we would expect from a prison officer. Winfield who was on gate duty at the time, attempted to lock the gates as the escapees approached her, but unfortunately she was shot”, Elliot said.
Elliot expressed condolences on behalf of the Guyana Prison Service, to the family, friends and colleagues of Officer Winfield.
He also sent prayers that all those grieving Winfield’s death will be granted comfort during this difficult and trying period.
The 2002 Jailbreak saw the escape of Troy Dick, Shawn Brown, Andrew Douglas, Mark Fraser and Dale Moore.