Photo Credit: BVI Platinum News
Photo Credit: BVI Platinum News
Two prison officers of Her Majesty´s Prison (HMP) at Balsum Ghut have been sent on compulsory leave following the escape of Dominican Republic inmate Eduord Bueno Beltran who was discovered missing from the facility on September 11.
The disclosure was made today, September 28 through the Government Information Service (GIS). The names of the officers were not disclosed.
Beltran, 38, is described as 242 pounds, 5 feet 10 inches, with a light complexion. He is still at large.
Beltran was serving a one year sentence imposed in July for the offence of illegal entry. He was last seen at 8:00 pm on September 10 and was reported missing just before 8:00 am the following morning.
"A part of the perimeter fence was found to have been cut, presumably to facilitate the escape," police had stated.
Persons with information regarding the escaped inmate are requested to contact the RVIPF non-emergency number 311, or in complete and guaranteed anonymity, crimestoppers on 800 8477.
New Security Measures
Meanwhile, GIS stated that Governor, Boyd McCleary and Minister for Education and Culture Hon. Myron Walwyn have agreed to implement a number of security recommendations as laid out in a confidential report by Superintendent of Prisons Richard Holder.
The Superintendent´s report following an internal investigation into the escape of Beltran, was received and reviewed on September 26 by Governor McCleary and Minister Walwyn in a joint effort to tighten security controls at the prison.
The report recommends that stricter operating procedures be put in place specifically in relation to the control of keys and locks.
Other security measures that will be implemented relate to improved performance standards for prison officers when conducting formal, informal and emergency head counts and the hand-over procedure at the beginning of a new work shift.
According to GIS, Governor McCleary and Minister Walwyn are considering other aspects of the report relating to prison security and safety and pledged their full support to prevent the reoccurrence of any more escapes.
Matters relating to the security of the prison are currently under investigation by the National Security Council.
