An inquiry into the May 15 escape of eight inmates from the Remand Prison, Golden Grove, Arouca, in currently underway.
Confirming an ASP was appointed on May 6 and given 30 days to complete the report, Prisons Commissioner Gerard Wilson said additional time would be granted if the officer requires it.
Pressed to provide details on what has so far been found, Wilson said, "It’s a bit complicated because there are a number of factors and he would have had to interview each escapee and then all the officers who worked the night.
"Sometimes when you start an inquiry, you may interview one person and it may lead you to interview four, but he’s going quite well. He’s quite competent and he is very thorough."
Wilson acknowledged this was an important inquiry and the public was demanding answers as they compared this incident to the one on July 23, 2015.
Allan "Scanny" Martin—one of the accused in the Vindra Naipaul-Coolman murder—died as he and two other prisoners staged a brazen midday escape, shooting their way out of the Port-of-Spain Prison on Frederick Street and murdering PC Sherman Maynard, 27, during the incident.
Christopher "Monster" Selby later surrendered to police, while Hassan Atwell was killed.
Wilson assured, "This is why I took the time to do this differently, to have the inquiry and coming out of that, I would have the evidence to know which direction to go."
Eight prisoners escaped from the Remand Prison, Golden Grove, Arouca on May 15.
They reportedly escaped through a hole in the wall from their cell in the south upper block of the prison.
They were discovered missing around 8.40 am on May 15.
The escapees included Mikhale Mohammed, Steffon Austin, Joshua Janet, Brent Johnson, Kerry Valentino, Atiba Sealy, Olatungi Denbow, and Michael Findley.
Denbow and Findley remained on the run for nine days before they were recaptured at a house in South Oropouche on May 25, while the others were held hours after the escape.
Speaking at the T&T Prison Service Annual Sports and Family Day yesterday, Wilson acknowledged the challenges facing the authorities as they work to eradicate corruption and reduce the level of contraband entering the various prisons.
Praising his officers for their continued level of commitment and dedication to the job despite the public criticisms levelled against them, Wilson said since he assumed office in 2017, he has implemented a number of initiatives at improving the image of the Prison Service.
However, he admitted not everyone was pleased as there were a handful of officers who were upset over the measures as the spotlight had now been turned inward to ensure transparency and accountability.