Benn begs escaped prisoners to return ‘home’ promises better living conditions

Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn on Thursday made a call for all prisoners who escaped from prisons across the country and who remain on the run, to turn themselves in.

Over the last few months, there have been several breakouts from prisons across the country.

A statement from the Ministry of Home Affairs released on Thursday quoted the Home Minister as cautioning the fugitives to avoid further grief by turning themselves over to law enforcement.

“I wish to call on all persons who have escaped from lawful custody and who are now being sought after by the Guyana Police Force and other law enforcement agencies, to turn themselves in and by so doing, avoid any further grief with respect to escaping from the Prisons”. The Ministry statement said.

Minister Benn also called on the relatives and other associates of prison escapees to be mindful of how they conduct themselves once they are aware of the presence of an escaped prisoner in the environs.

“I also call on close relatives and friends of the escapees not to provide any support to escaped prisoners. Further, I call on the relatives, friends and the general public, to report the existence of any escaped prisoner who you may become aware of, to the nearest Police Station” It was stated.

“Moreover, I wish to reassure all concerned, that we are working to improve the living conditions and the rehabilitation efforts with respect to the Prison System in Guyana,” Benn said, according to the released statement.

The public is also reminded that escaped prisoners once recaptured are expected to have an additional three (3) years added to their sentence through the Courts for the offense of escaping from lawful custody under the Criminal Law (Offences) Act Chapter 8:01. Moreover, those who aid and abet escape prisoners can face the prospect of three (3) to seven (7) years in jail or life imprisonment, the release ended by reminding.