A spate of escapes alarms legislators

Legislators yesterday threw their support behind a full investigation ordered by Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio into the escape of eight inmates from the Division of Corrections, saying the incident has reflected alarming conditions in the prison and possible negligence by authorities.

The escape has been the third in less than a year.

Rep. Heinz Hofschneider, who heads the prison task force formed by the Tenorio administration last year, stressed the need for a new jail facility on the island as the existing infrastructure is not designed to accommodate a hundred inmates.

“It’s unfortunate that the incident occurred because it is really a reflection of some of the inadequacies of the prison,” he told in an interview.

The chair of the House committee on Health, Education and Welfare maintained they are currently mapping out a comprehensive plan that will address the problems in the division, including dismantling of the halfway house for those inmates serving light offense.

The facility poses a hazard and the task force is looking at relocating it to a new place budgeted at over $1.1 million. The House also has passed an appropriation bill that will set aside more than $8.8 million for the new prison under the capital improvement projects.

“I know that the correctional facility is understaffed but I think that (a reason) is the state of the prison in terms of security, fence and the degree of management,” Hofschneider said.

While two of the escapees turned in themselves a day after bolting out of their cell last Monday night, the Department of Public Safety has yet to establish the circumstances of the incident which is the third jailbreak under Commissioner Charles Ingram’s administration.

House Speaker Diego T. Benavente said the legislature may have to conduct its own investigation if the administration will not act on the worsening situation.

“We need to get down to the bottom of this. I’m sure the administration will do that,” he explained, “and if they don’t, then the legislature might be looking into it themselves.”

Benavente likewise called on lawmakers to act quickly on the budget allocation for the new prison to ease overcrowding at the corrections facility.

“It is a tragic event. I hope the governor will get to the bottom of what happened,” he said.

Senate Vice President Thomas P. Villagomez echoed the need to seriously look into the incident, particularly when it is the third time that it has occurred in less than a year.

“It’s very serious. If those offenders are sneaking out, what kind of leadership do we have down there,” he asked.