A high-risk inmate at the Maximum Security Prison(MSP) in Arouca who attempted to scale the prison's perimeter fence last Monday had dash for freedom short-lived.
Senior prisons sources told Guardian Media that Richard James had just completed a prison visit close to noon when he was being taken back to his cell. While he was being escorted back to his cell- James, who allegedly was able to tamper with his handcuffs, pushed the prison officer down and ran to the fence.
Just as he was about to scale the fence he was stopped by several other prison officers who were alerted.
Prisons Commissioner Dane Clarke, when contacted by the Guardian, confirmed the incident had occurred and said it was being investigated.
In an unrelated incident also at the MSP on Sunday, an attempt was made by a high-risk inmate to stab a prison officer.
Sources said luckily the prison officer was wearing his stab-proof vest and escaped serious injury.
Commissioner Clarke also confirmed this incident and said they were also investigating the matter.