28 Dec 2017

Samoa police investigate jail break

11:11 am on 28 December 2017
Part of Tafaigata prison cells

Part of Tafaigata prison cells Photo: RNZI / Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia

Police in Samoa are investigating how four escapees managed to break the locks of one of the security cells in Tafaigata prison.

The men escaped a week ago and two remain on the run.

Our correspondent in Apia Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia said security at the prison has been a problem.

"There's a history of escape prisoners from our main Tafaigata prison. From the time when the prison was under the authority of the Ministry of Police, there was always cases of prisoners escape."

"The problem was there is no fence surrounding the whole compound for the main prison."

The assistant commissioner of prisons Ulugia Sauafea Niui'a said they would be working together with the police on the case.

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