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'UK expert' investigating cause of recent prison break

-escapees Jose Almestica & John M. Burgos still on the run
An expert from the United Kingdom (UK) is currently in the Virgin Islands (VI) investigating the October 25, 2025, prison break, which led to the escape of two prisoners. Photo: HMP
On Wednesday, November 26, 2025, Acting Governor David D. Archer announced that an expert in prison security and risk management will conduct a two-week investigation into the circumstances which led to the escape of two prisoners from His Majesty’s Prison in October 2025. Photo: GIS
On Wednesday, November 26, 2025, Acting Governor David D. Archer announced that an expert in prison security and risk management will conduct a two-week investigation into the circumstances which led to the escape of two prisoners from His Majesty’s Prison in October 2025. Photo: GIS
High-profile prisoner Jose Almestica and John M. Burgos escaped from His Majesty's Prison (HMP) on October 25, 2025. Photo: RVIPF.
High-profile prisoner Jose Almestica and John M. Burgos escaped from His Majesty's Prison (HMP) on October 25, 2025. Photo: RVIPF.
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- An expert from the United Kingdom (UK) is currently in the Virgin Islands (VI) investigating the October 25, 2025, prison break, which led to the escape of two prisoners.

In a statement to the public on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, Acting Governor David D. Archer Jr made the announcement. 

Jose Almestica, 37, and John M. Burgos, 27, broke out of His Majesty's Prison (HMP) in Balsam Ghut on the night of October 25, 2025. They were discovered missing sometime after 9:00 PM that night and have been on the run since. 

Full external investigation commissioned

Following their escape, Governor Daniel Pruce announced that he had commissioned a full, independent, external investigation by an “outside body” into the circumstances that led to the escape of Almestica and Burgos. 

Governor Pruce also revealed that he had reached out to the Ministry of Justice in the UK for help in identifying people who would take the investigations forward.

UK prison security & risk management expert investigating

“I can now confirm that the UK’s Ministry of Justice has identified an expert in prison security and risk management to undertake the investigation,” Mr Archer said in his statement. 

The expert’s identity has not been disclosed by the Acting Governor. 

Mr Archer, however, said the investigation is expected to be completed in about two weeks. 

“The investigation…will be thorough and impartial and will ensure that we identify what went wrong and take the necessary steps to strengthen security.”

See links to related stories 

https://www.virginislandsnewsonline.com/en/news/jose-almestica-john-m-burgos-escape-his-majestys-prison

https://www.virginislandsnewsonline.com/en/news/governor-pruce-orders-full-external-investigation-into-recent-prison-break

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