Nine convicts flee jail

By ELIZABETH VUVU
NINE hardcore criminals from the Lakiemata jail in West New Britain dashed to freedom last Tuesday and three warders have been suspended for neglecting their duties.
A senior officer at the jail, who wished to remain anonymous, told The National that the nine prisoners took advantage of the continuous heavy rain in the province to escape.
He said the prisoners cut through the bars in the ablution blocks with a hacksaw before making their escape last Tuesday between 8pm and 9 pm.
The officer said the three guards on duty at the time allegedly did not do the normal routine checks.
They were suspended last Friday morning for neglecting their duties pending an investigation into the escape.
Deputy Correctional Service Commissioner (Operations) Martin Balthazar said due to communication breakdown at Lakiemata, his office had not received any reports of the escape.