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Governor orders jailbreak probe
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Posted on Feb 17 1999
Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio yesterday ordered a full investigation into the escape of eight prisoners from the Division of Corrections to pin those responsible for the worst jailbreak in the history of the Northern Marianas.
Eight convicts, who include three serving life sentences for murder and two others for attempted rape and sexual abuse of children, made an easy escape Monday night from the poorly guarded and inadequately protected prison in Susupe.
Public Safety Commissioner Charles Ingram has ordered an island-wide manhunt of the escapees and told the public to take extra precautions.
A visibly upset Tenorio said he wanted the prisoners recaptured as soon as possible to protect the community against potential harm they may do to the people of the commonwealth.
“I’m sure the commissioner will make an investigation. This is a very serious matter,” the governor said in an interview. “We are alarmed whenever there is an escape and I hope this will not endanger the community.”
Tenorio said Ingram informed him about the jailbreak shortly after the convicts sprang to their freedom by cutting off wire fences at the backside of the prison facility.
“I was told by the commissioner that he has activated the police force to locate the prisoners. The Department of Public Safety is trying all its best to rearrest the escapees,” the commonwealth leader assured the public.
But some officials in the Capitol Hill have expressed disappointment over the incident, the third since last year, as they called for some heads to roll.
“This is unbelievable. How could eight prisoners escape in one swoop without the guards detecting it? There’s a lot of explanation that has to be done,” an administration source said.
Another source commented on condition of anonymity that “Somebody should be held responsible for the escape. The community should not be put in danger because some people did not do their job.”
