Simatab lauds prison staff efforts for capturing Buimo jail escapees

 CORRECTIONAL Service Minister Jim Simatab is thankful to prison and police officers in Lae for re-capturing 19 of the 44 escapees. 

Simatab said in a statement the Buimo breakout was not related to a similar incident in Madang’s Beon jail 

earlier. 

Of the 44 who broke out, 25 were still at large as of yesterday afternoon.

Simatab said the Beon escape “happened due to negligence on the part of some disgruntled officers”.

“In Lae’s Buimo prison, the escape was conducted while everyone was busy attending church services and other routine business for the institution.”

He assured Lae residents and those from the neighbouring Madang and Eastern Highlands that prison and police officers would do all they could to find and return the escapees to Buimo.

“I also appeal to people harbouring escapees to turn them in or report their sightings to the nearest police station or Buimo correctional institution.

“Be warned that harbouring criminals is an offence punishable by law.”

He warned people in Lae to be cautious as some of the escapees were hardened criminals.

He said of the 18 detainees hospitalised, four had been discharged from the Angau Memorial Hospital and were back in prison.

“I am sure with the help of the community, we can recapture the 25 still at large,” Simatab said.