The police in Samoa have locked 41 prisoners who escaped earlier this week in punishment cells, to avoid any confrontation with other inmates who supported the break out but did not join it.
The prisoners, who escaped from Tafaigata prison armed with machetes, had got on a bus heading for the government building when the police shot at the vehicle's tyres to force it to stop.
A source says the escapees could be locked in the punishment cells for a lengthy period because the police are worried they may cause trouble with another thirty inmates who did not join them.
Plain clothed police officers are helping the prison warders in providing security at the Tafaigata compound to ensure there is no repeat of what happened.
