Three inmates escape from Central Prison

Three convicts escaped from the Belize Central Prison in Hattieville. On Sunday night at about seven-ten, while the guards were being transferred for their shifts, Hector Garcia, Roquael Tiul, and Wilmur Guzman, escaped from the Wagners Youth Facility. How they got out of the secured area that houses seventy-seven youths is unknown, but time is quickly passing by and the prisons remain on the lam. Since Sunday night officers have been combing the highways searching for the trio. The prison is managed by the Kolbe Foundation and C.E.O., Earl Jones, says that motorists or anyone else should report the whereabouts of the escapees to the nearest police station if they are spotted.

Earl Jones, C.E.O., Kolbe Foundation

“The inmates are Roquael Tiul, who has been here for Kept Unlicensed Firearm; serving a five-year sentence. He is a Guatemalan national. We also have Hector Garcia, who is also a Guatemalan that is here for Illegal Entry and is awaiting deportation. And thirdly, we have Wilmar Guzman, who is a Belizean national from the San Juan Village in the Stann Creek Valley area. He is here for Theft and he is serving a six months sentence. All three inmates made good their escape yesterday at about seven-ten p.m. by clearing or jumping the fence at the Belize Central Prison and making good their escape.”

Earl Jones

Jose Sanchez

“Were any guards on duty? I know you have towers. Do you have any idea as to why they weren’t seen?”

Earl Jones

“Right now we are in the process of investigating what contributed towards the breakdown in security. My officers are preparing reports at this point in time which I will be reviewing to see what contributed to the breakdown and these guys escaping from the Belize Central Prison. This is something that should not have happened because we have policies and procedures in place. However, there must have been a breakdown in the system that has led to this unfortunate circumstance. So we are reviewing the reports from the officers who were on duty at that time.”

Jose Sanchez

“I know it’s early on, but can you say no one is accusing anyone of assisting with the escape or just dereliction of duty? You have any indications as yet?”

Earl Jones

“The escape took place at a time when shift was handing over; there is a change of guards at that time and probably there might have been some human error in that whole process. But we cannot make a proper conclusion unless we review the reports.”

Jose Sanchez

“Judging on their behavior or what they were charged for, are any of these three men considered dangerous to the public?”

Earl Jones

“I wouldn’t say that they are considered dangerous. As a matter of fact, one of them was to be deported today. Unfortunately immigration was supposed to pick him up this morning and deport him, but he decided to go from yesterday. The other was serving a short time, six months, and was to be released in November. The third person was to be released in 2017—he was the one serving the longest time and he was not a problematic persons. He was considered a low risk inmate who had the privilege of working around the facility. So what really triggered in off or they probably saw an opportunity, we will have to review the reports coming in.”

Jose Sanchez

“Cause the main concern then would be other prisoners who could seek similar route.”

Earl Jones

“Right. And that is why we are urgently getting the reports from the officers so that we can review. The reports that I have been getting…there have been tracks indicating that they may be travelling west. More than likely they might be headed towards the border because two of them are from Melchor. So I would just like to say to people along that route to be on the lookout for these people. Don’t take chances with them. We have a number, 610-0649 or 610-0805 that they can call if they see these guys. Or contact the nearest police stations so that the matter can be properly addressed. The motorists using the highway along that route be careful of hitchhikers, who they are picking up. Report it to the relevant authorities so that we can properly address the situation noh.”

If you see any of the escaped convicts, you can call 610-0649, 610-0805 or call the nearest police station. In 2012, only one inmate escaped and he was captured within forty-five minutes. So far for 2013, there was one previous incident and the suspect was caught within hours.