Prison security officials are preparing the transfer of 20 inmates of Surakarta penitentiary to Nusakambangan prison island in Cilacap, Central Java on June 23 evening. (JP/Ganug Nugroho Adi)
Six inmates have escaped a prison in Abepura district, Jayapura, Papua, during a church service and family visitation on Sunday.
The inmates climbed the prison wall when security was relaxed to accommodate the activities at 10.10 a.m.
“They used the opportunity when several guards went to Mass at a church in the prison. They climbed the wall using bed sheets as a rope,” Abepura prison warden Bagus Kurniawan told The Jakarta Post.
(Read also: Harsh judicial system leads to prison overcapacity)
The prison break was discovered after an officer, Gidion Wanda, saw the rope hanging on the wall. It was later discovered that the inmates crossed a drain then climbed the wall.
“We have contacted Jayapura Police to investigate further,” said Bagus.
When the inmates escaped there were only six guards on duty while usually there are seven guards on duty. (wit)