Eleven juveniles apprehended after escape from NOC

The NOC compound (SN file photo)

Eleven residents of the juvenile correctional centre at Onderneeming on the Essequibo Coast were apprehended between yesterday and this morning.

The police said that at about 5.15 pm yesterday, eleven residents (six females and five males) escaped from the New Opportunity Corps (NOC).Two females were held shortly after and the others were apprehended at about 6 am today not far from the Facility.

In recent years, the NOC has been a centre of controversy and discontent for juveniles. In 2012 a female dormitory was set on fire and there was a mass escape.

The APNU+AFC government has taken several initiatives in relation to the NOC. Just recently, it was decided that the NOC will come under the Ministry of Social Protection and not the Ministry of Education.