Crime & Punishment of Thursday, 3 August 2006

Source: GNA

Ex-convict jailed three years for escaping jail

Kumasi, Aug 03, GNA - Osei Yaw, a 29-year-old ex-convict whose escape from jail in 2002 caused the reduction in rank of the officer in-charge, has been re-arrested and incarcerated for another three years.

He pleaded guilty to the charge and was convicted on his own plea. Chief Inspector Francis Kusi told the court presided over by Mr R.M. Kogyapwah that in December 2002, Osei who was serving a four-year jail term at the Manhyia Prisons in Kumasi broke jail while working outside the prison walls with his colleagues.

He said Osei asked for permission to attend nature's call and was accompanied by an officer but his failure to come out of the place of convenience after over one hour raised some suspicion.

The officer who was waiting to escort him back to where the others worked forced the toilet door open only to find to his amazement that Osei was nowhere to be found.

The officer later found out that Osei removed the latrine pan and escaped through the hole.

He said all efforts to trace Osei proved futile until July 18 when another officer while serving another jail term in connection with a theft case identified him.