17 escape from Kerevat

By DYLAN MURRAY and CRETILDA ALOKAKA
Correctional Services (CS) commissioner Stephen Pokanis has confirmed that 17 prisoners escaped from Kerevat jail in East New Britain on Saturday.
He said 11 were remandees and six were convicted prisoners.
“We believe they escaped at midday during the visit of families on Saturday. Investigations into how they actually got out is underway,” Pokanis said.
However, police believed the prisoners escaped through a hole in the fence.
East New Britain police commander Chief Insp Januaris Vosivai said the hole was created by six prisoners that escaped last month.
“We believe the six prisoners created that hole to escape,” he said.
“This is the same hole the 17 prisoners used.”
Vosivai said one of the 17 escapees was recaptured on Sunday night.
“The people from Rapitok village, Gazelle, apprehended the man and brought him to us,” he said.
“He is now back in prison.”
Vosivai said a joint operation by the police and the Correctional Services began on Monday.
“The aim is to recapture the six escapees from last month and the 16 who fled on Saturday,” he said.
“The operation will include road checks, raids and awareness.”
He said the awareness was to educate communities on how to help police and CS to capture the escapees.
“This afternoon (yesterday), police and CS officers will be briefed again on the operation,” he said.