Police abort prisoners’ breakout attempt this morning

By Talaia Mika

APIA, SAMOA – 29 MARCH 2022: Police managed to abort a prison breakout from the Tanumalala prison this morning and stopped inmates from attempting to cIimb the prison security cement walls.

Minister of Police & Prisons, Faualo Harry Schuster told Talamua that no prisoner was able to escape.

“They attempted to escape but police were able to stop them and no prisoner was able to get past the high cement walls,” said Faualo.

“So police are now investigating the reason why they tried to escape. We suspect whether it’s Covid related or some other reason but we’ll find out.”

A convoy of police vehicles rushed off from the Apia headquarters this morning when reports came through of a possible prison breakout.

“The Tanumalala prison officers had assisted the Apia police with the current Covid-19 situation, so they had to help Tanumalala officers as well when needed just like what happened today,” Faualo explained.

With the current Covid-19 rapid community transmission, Tanumalala prison set out some protocols and is not allowing any visitors to prevent inmates from getting infected with the virus.

Also enforced inside the prison cells are other precautionary measures such as physical contact and social distancing.