While police continue the search for an escaped murderer, newly appointed Prison Commissioner Ag. Carlos Corraspe has admitted that the Prison Service “dropped the ball.”
Hakeem Ishmael Mohammed, an inmate charged with murder, escaped custody while being treated at the Eric Williams Medical Science Complex, Mt Hope on Sunday, August 4.
A statement from the Prison Service said Mohammed, from Wharf Trace, Maracas, St Joseph, escaped from the hospital’s accident and emergency department around 3 am on August 4.
The Prison Service said Mohammed was considered armed and dangerous and should not be approached if seen.
Corraspe, in a Newsday interview, apologised to the public and other stakeholders in the justice system.
“Any time there is an escape from prison custody, it means that the prison has dropped the ball on public safety. Every single crime that takes place from the time that person has escaped – including the fact of the escape which is a criminal offence – every single crime that takes place during that period is on the prison service.
“I have to apologise on behalf of the prison service, as the head, for us dropping the ball where that is concerned.”
He was unable to say exactly how Mohammed escaped but said the matter was being investigated with an eye to preventing a re-occurrence.
“I’m expecting a report, and the report will give us a clear guideline as to what transpired, in the best way that it can be reconstructed.”
Corraspe added any officer found to be culpable would face the relevant sanctions which could include dismissal and even possible criminal charges.
“There are some (charges) that are delegated to the commissioner, which are internal matters and less of a punishment, (and could be) as much as a 12 days pay from the officer’s salary if the tribunal is activated and the officer is found guilty.
“If, however, the matter is external and it goes on external tribunal within the Public Service Commission, one of the possible punishments is in fact dismissal.
“If it goes up higher than that to a situation where it is proven that there’s some malfeasance on the part of the officer, then of course that becomes a criminal offence and the police will be involved.”