Eighteen months for man who escaped from Lusignan Prison

Andrew Chang
Andrew Chang

Andrew Chaung, the prisoner who was recently recaptured after he and another escaped from the Lusignan Prison was yesterday sentenced to an additional 18 months imprisonment.

Chaung, 26, of Lot 73 New Road, Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Deme-rara (WCD) yesterday appeared before Magistrate Fabayo Azore and he was read a charge of escape from lawful custody.

He pleaded guilty to the offence.

Around 7am last Tues-day, Chaung and murder convict, Shazam Khalil escaped while being housed in the Quarantine Section of the Lusignan Prison.

The following day, Director of Prisons (ag) Nicklon Elliot confirmed that Chaung was handed over to the ranks at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Eve Leary, Georgetown around 3 pm by his sister and fiancée.

Khalil, also known as ‘Boi,’ 28 of Lot 53 Shieldstown, West Bank Berbice, remains on the run.

In a statement issued last Tuesday, Elliot said that the Quarantine section was supervised by the Duty Officer and four other ranks, who observed that two prisoners were unaccounted for during a tally count.

The matter was immediately reported to the Officer-in-Charge of the Lusignan Prison, David Shepherd, Superintendent of Prisons (ag), who immediately ordered a roll call in order to confirm the information.

Once there was confirmation, the Emergency Action Plan with respect to the escaping of inmates was immediately activated, the Director of Prisons (ag) was informed and subsequently informed the Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn and the Joint Services Heads.

Chang was admitted to prison on April 20th, 2021 for a break and enter and larceny offence while Khalil was admitted to prison on August 19th, 2016.

Khalil is supposed to be serving a life sentence with the possibility of parole only after 24 years.

He was sentenced to life imprisonment by Justice Jo-Ann Barlow for the murder of Sheniza Mohamed, his teenage ex-girlfriend, at Rosignol, West Coast Berbice in January 2015.