Tuesday’s deadly prison break at Her Majesty’s Prison was last night described as a serious breach of security amid expressions of shock and sadness over the escape that resulted in two deaths and left a dangerous convict on the run.
Former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham said in a statement released Tuesday afternoon that he was “shocked and saddened” to learn of the loss of life resulting from the prison break at Her Majesty’s Prison.
“Clearly, a serious breach of security with tragic consequences has occurred at the prison,” Mr. Ingraham said. “For the time being, however, I reserve comments on the breakout.”
Edwin Culmer, former prison superintendent, told The Bahama Journal that while he has not been at the prison for many months, a major concern that he had during his 33-year tenure at the facility was a lack of staff.
“We needed staff. The junior officers work very diligently and deserve more praise than they normally get, but during my time there were always needed staff,” said Mr. Culmer. “I always asked for staff but was told that there were no funds at the time.”
According to Mr. Culmer, the maximum security section of the prison has outgrown its purpose.
“It was built to hold 200 men and at any given time we hold 700 to 800,” he said. “That is a security breach right there.”
The former prison superintendent, who now heads the Detention Centre, said that he had asked for at least 250 additional officers, but never got them, although he did acknowledge that the situation at the Fox Hill Prison may have changed since his departure.
Mr. Culmer said that a senior officer must be held accountable for the escape.
“It is a very serious breach of security when an officer loses his life,” he said.
The escape occurred around 4 o’clock in the morning and involved four prisoners.
During the escape, 38-year-old prison officer Corporal Dion Bowles was killed.
Officials reported at a press conference held hours after the prison break that Corporal Bowles, a prison officer of 13 years, died from multiple stab wounds to the upper body.
Also killed during the escape was Neil Brown, who was convicted of the 2000 murder of Archdeacon William Thompson.
Inmates Forrestor Bowe, 29, a convicted murderer whose case is now before the Privy Council in London; and convicted rapist Barry Parcoi, 42, who is serving a life sentence and escaped from prison last year, were also injured during the incident.
Bowe, who was shot, and Parcoi were treated for their injuries and were returned to the prison compound Tuesday morning.
Prison officers Kenneth Sweeting and David Armbrister were injured during the escape but their injuries are not considered life threatening.
Up to press time on Tuesday, police were still hunting for Corey Douglas Hepburn and had issued a special warning to residents of the eastern area, particularly Elizabeth Estates.
Tuesday morning’s prison break marked the third time that Hepburn, 36, who is a convicted armed robber and is considered armed and extremely dangerous, has escaped police custody.
Mr. Culmer described Hepburn as an “escape artist” and noted that when he completed his duties at the prison last year he left the escaped convict “in chains.”
“Someone must be held accountable. That’s why we have ranks, an inspector on night duty, a sergeant, a corporal; they should have taken the steps to secure and stop whatever took place,” he said.
The current prison superintendent, who replaced Mr. Culmer last year, Dr. Elliston Rahming, indicated shortly after his appointment during an appearance on Love 97’s “Jones and Company” that the perimeter of the prison is not fortified, even though there are more than 1,400 inmates being housed at the facility.
Mr. Ingraham said that he joined with all Bahamians in condemning this new criminal act by convicts housed at the prison.
The leader of the Free National Movement said that he hoped that Hepburn would be found in the shortest possible time, and joined with authorities in calling for the full cooperation and assistance of the public in returning him to police custody.
Leader of the Bahamas Democratic Movement, Cassius Stuart, described Tuesday’s prison break as a “wake up for us as a people” and called for the resignation of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Cynthia Pratt, “because she is incapable of handling our crime problem.”
By: Erica Wells, The Bahama Journal
