Prison escapees on sex crimes recaptured

A number of prison escapees from the Lorengau Correctional Service were picked up and arrested by police last week. Among those were a number of convicts for sexual crimes and murder.

A total of five arrests were made for escapees from the Lorengau Correctional Service last week and charged for escape.

The lack of manpower, rundown facilities and overcrowding of prisoners are among many issues faced at this correctional institute, which needs the urgent attention of the CS management, even for a small province like Manus.

The following were recaptured last week:

  1. Oli Egi, aged 23 of Bulihan village, Penabu-Nalisopat LLG, was charged for sexual penetration and convicted and sentenced to nine years in hard labour when he escaped from CS on 22.10.18. He was re-captured on 17/9/19 and charged for Escape.
  2. Gilbert Simon Karu, aged 43, of Pak Island in Rapatona LLG, was charged for sexual touching and convicted and sentenced to five years in hard labour. He escaped from CS on September 16th during Independence celebrations and recaptured the same day at Pihi Oval in Lorengau town. He was charged for escape.
  3. Robert Mathew, aged 45 of Lihai village, Lelemadih-Bupichupen LLG, was charged for sexual touching and convicted and sentenced to five years in hard labour. He escaped from CS on July 6th and was recaptured the same day at Ward 7. He was charged for escape. 
  4. Kelly Kuwoh, aged 27 of Kolwin village, Lelemadih-Bupichupen LLG, was charged for robbery and remanded in CS custody awaiting his decision in the National Court when he escaped on 9/3/19. He was apprehended by Police on 6/9/19 and locked in Police cells.
  5. Charles Karol Ndreyeh, aged 21 of Lowa in Lelemadih-Bupichupen LLG, was charged for murder and convicted and sentenced to 17 years IHL but escaped on 17.9.19 whilst waiting for medical treatment at Lorengau General Hospital. He was recaptured the same day and charged for escape.

Following the arrests, Provincial Police Commander Chief Inspector David Yapu has raised concerns on the number of prison breakouts from CS within a short period of time due to lack of security.

Three of those five escapees who were arrested were convicted for sex crimes and were serving between 5 to 9 years in prison when they escaped.

One escaped on robbery charges while the fifth escapee was serving seven years in jail for murder.

All five will undergo the committal court process again on the additional charges of escape.

The Manus Police boss said while he was aware of the problems encountered by CS, the issues should be addressed by the top management at CS headquarters.

Author: 
Sally Pokiton