5 Jan 2015

Wardens implicated in PNG mass prison breakout

3:04 pm on 5 January 2015

A number of Papua New Guinea Correctional Service officers have been implicated in a New Year's Eve prison breakout in the Western Higlands.

The Post Courier reports several prison wardens have been suspended following the breakout, in which 33 prisoners escaped and one warden was wounded.

Bomana Correctional Facility, Papua New Guinea

A number of correctional service employees have been suspended. Photo: RNZI / Johnny Blades

Last Wednesday, about 10 armed men raided Baisu prison at about 3am to free a man jailed for a double murder in Enga province.

None of the escapees have been found.

The Higlands Divisional Police Commander, Teddy Tei, says he believes officers were bribed to release one of the inmates, but the deal didn't work out and the prison was stormed.

Mr Tei has appealed for public information, saying most of the escapees were "hard core" criminals incarcerated for serious crimes.