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UPDATE: Prison escape incident was close to a riot- HM Prison sources

-Recaptured prisoner was reportedly distraught
According to reliable source, Mr Jessroy McKelly is a distraught prisoner who has been on remand for allegedly murdering Kareem Sebastian aka Bingy. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Pandemonium broke out at Her Majesty's Prison in Balsum Ghut shortly after 3 P.M. on Saturday February 2, 2013 as word circulated that a prisoner had escaped.

Virgin Island News Online was reliably informed that at the time Jessroy McKelly was on recreation break with other inmates when he negotiated his way out through the “CID area”.

According to a reliable source, Mr McKelly is a distraught prisoner who has been on remand for allegedly murdering Kareem Sebastian aka Bingy. "He has been changing from lawyer to lawyer to deal with his case," said the inside source, and added that McKelly might have had arrangements in place to flee the Island as he was recaptured in a direction that suggests he was heading to the Lambert Beach area.

This news site was told that when the word got around of the security breach, prison officers were sharp on sounding the alarm throughout the HM Prison and officers stepped into full riot gear as they attempted to secure the prison and guide other prisoners back to their cells.

"It was very close to a riot there because it had a few of the prisoners who were making it challenging by being resistant," said the source.

Virgin Islands News Online was told that when the Officer in-Charge of the area was alerted of the break-out he immediately ran along the path where the prisoner was spotted making his escape when he stumbled upon a police officer not too far off. "He (the prison officer) told the police what was up and they both started the hunt."

During this time the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) was officially alerted and those in East End and Road Town responded promptly, circling the area which led to the prisoner being captured in the vicinity of Lambert Beach, which is not very far from the HM Prison.

According to a press release from the RVIPF on February 2, 2013, Police were notified by Prison authorities around 4:05 P.M. that Jessroy McKelly had escaped from the premises in Balsum Ghut during a recreation period on the compound.

“Officers of the East End Police Station, assisted by Police detectives and an off-duty police officer swiftly responded to cover and search the area. McKelly was subsequently recaptured in the Little Bay area around 4:25 P.M. Police were assisted in their search by a Prison officer. Jessroy McKelly is now in Police custody. Investigations continue into the matter,” the press release stated.

Meanwhile, questions as to how the escape was orchestrated and what loophole existed were not answered. Efforts to contact the Acting Superintendent of Prisons, Mr Charles L. Forbes were unsuccessful.

18 Responses to “UPDATE: Prison escape incident was close to a riot- HM Prison sources”

  • qc (03/02/2013, 09:45) Like (1) Dislike (10) Reply
    well saw..holder gost
  • Maury (03/02/2013, 10:10) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    Any murder suspect is supposed to be kept in a high security area. Why is thus guy who has attempted to runaway before, being allowed in a low security recreation area with the main stream prison population? When are guidelines and procedures that are necessary to ensure the security of the prison going to be implemented, and most importantly carried out? Over the last two decades there were many unexplained prison breaks, and the prison guards on duty were not held responsible. Come on man, these goof ups making us look like fools. This guy should have never been out in the recreation area, unless his feet were in chains and his hands cuffed in front of him. Potentially dangerous suspects have to be treated with extreme caution.
    • game (04/02/2013, 00:04) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      Jessroy boy dont worry with that getting out business you got three square meals per day and a bed way you going or comming?
  • seekabay (03/02/2013, 10:41) Like (7) Dislike (3) Reply
    kudos to mr forbes/team for the quick recapture..good record for seekabay
    • Well Sah (03/02/2013, 17:30) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
      there shouldn't be escapes at all, how is that even possible up.. there. unless the prison officers sleeping on them now 10 or 12 hour shifts..
    • yellow (04/02/2013, 10:15) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      You just want until they island man dem start carrying news on Charles, he would not last up there!
      • Shutyourmouth (05/02/2013, 17:06) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        First and furthermore Charles is doing his job. You are not there to see what he does. Your ignorance befalls you. Whether or not the inmate escaped is not on Charles it is on the guards of the prison.
  • INSDIER (03/02/2013, 11:34) Like (1) Dislike (15) Reply
    vino you really got the inside scoop...this was just an attempt by the island men staff to under Mr. Forbes just like what they did coolwood...well may bouy
    • reach out (03/02/2013, 16:10) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
      i agree them going do Forbers what they did Callwood, oh the need for consensus building,
  • love man (03/02/2013, 14:29) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Fresh kicks really don't like it up there.
  • St. John (03/02/2013, 14:48) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    due diligence?? does it happen at HMP
  • Music (03/02/2013, 16:57) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    If he is awaiting trial (for a long time it seems), then he is on remand, and not a convicted murderer. Usually remand prisoners are kept in a separate part of a prison, and may not be in as tight a secure area or tough regime as the convicted men.
  • wise-up (03/02/2013, 18:54) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    What kind of prison system we really operating. No wonder the UK have to be sending their old washed up people out here.

  • END (04/02/2013, 09:52) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Look he face tis young yute just spoil he life
  • prayers (04/02/2013, 11:46) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply

    My prayers are with the Prison Officers who have to deal with criminals from all walks of life. My prayers are especially for the Prison Officer who took no time to recapture this alleged murderer.

  • Money Talks (04/02/2013, 11:48) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Its a pity these officers are not paid according to the danger they get in with these criminals.


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