A shortage of staff to man the Mazaruni Prisons may have played a role in Sunday’s escape of two prisoners from the Region Seven facility.
This is according to Crime Chief Seelall Persaud who told this newspaper yesterday that there has still been no sign of Sean Hopkinson, 27, of Blue Berry Hill, Linden and Carlton Sampson, 26, of Crane, West Coast Demerara (WCD).
Persaud stated that as the police and prison authorities continue to hunt for the duo, their places of abode will be searched.
He said that the Mazaruni Prisons have been affected severely by a shortage of staff and he noted that this may have played in role in Sunday’s escape of the two prisoners.
A source close to the prisons told Stabroek News last evening that staff members have been working overtime within the past several months due to a staff shortage.
He said that this has proven difficult for prison officers to carry out their duties effectively since the prison population has grown.
Repeated attempts by this newspaper to obtain a comment from Director of Prisons, Dale Erskine
