A mass prison break at Tafa’igata during the weekend saw ten prisoners fleeing on Saturday night, with the youngest of the group being a 13-year-old boy.
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The incident was confirmed by the Assistant Commissioner of Prisons and Corrections Service, Ulugia Niuia Aumua, who said the prisoners escaped through a hole on the wall of their cell.
According to Ulugia, the prisoners had dug a hole through a brick wall.
“One managed to fit through the wall and when he was outside, he made the hole bigger and from there, the rest escaped later on,” he said.
Ulugia, however, was quick to confirm that all the runaway convicts have been found and are back in prison.
“There were nine prisoners plus another that was remanded in custody that escaped,” he said.
“I have been informed by Police that they have captured the last one of the group and will be brought back if not tonight or tomorrow.”
It was during the 10.30pm patrol on Saturday night that the Prison officers discovered the break away.
Ulugia said three other prisoners in the same cell decided not to follow the rest.
Seven prisoners were found on Sunday while the rest were caught on Monday.
Ulugia said there are contributing factors to why prisoners always manage to flee Tafa’igata.
“The issue that we have to deal with is that we have been operating with a very minimum staff,” he explained. “And one of the other issues is that we don’t have a security fence as a backstop.
The previous five prisoners that escaped before broke through bars and windows which were really secure.
“So again, it comes down to supervision and unsecured buildings. There is also no security fence as a last defense for the safety of the public.”
Ulugia also pointed to staffing issues. He said seven officers are suspended over an ongoing matter that is before the Court.
“Unfortunately we cannot hire new officers until these cases are cleared.”
As for the escaped convicts, he said the prisoners are being dealt with internally. Many of them face the possibility of doing extra time.
At the moment there are 670 convicts including women prisoners being housed at Tafa’igata. There are less than a hundred prison officers supervising the facilities.
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