Prison chief awaits formal report on prisoner’s escape

Nearly a month after convicted prisoner Kishon Lamar Anderson Thomas escaped from custody while receiving treatment at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, he remains on the run, prompting serious concern from the island’s top prison official.

Superintendent of Prisons De Carlo Payne acknowledged that while such incidents are rare, the fact that Thomas has not yet been recaptured is troubling and has triggered a review of existing security protocols.

“I’m very, very concerned. I am not one who would shy away from the realities of life. Any escape is one too many, that’s what I say, so I’m very concerned about it,” Payne told reporters at the prison on Friday.

The 26-year-old fugitive, also known as Pappy, Paps, or Tom, escaped on May 2 around 4 p.m. while at the hospital seeking medical attention.

He was last seen driving a silver Suzuki APV van bearing registration number M7730, which was later recovered by the authorities. Thomas, who is from Seaview, St James, has not been seen since.

Payne said prison authorities are working closely with The Barbados Police Service and passing on every lead and piece of intelligence received in the hope of tracking him down.

“Efforts to recapture him are ongoing in terms of investigations by the police, as well as all the intelligence and all the information that we’re receiving—we’re passing that on to the police as well. So they’re progressing in terms of the attempts to recapture that individual,” he said.

Asked whether there would be a relook at security protocols, particularly when transporting or hospitalising inmates, Payne said the prison’s procedures are always under review.

“We are constantly reviewing our protocols, as well as having a system in place where we identify high-risk individuals, and those individuals are escorted out of the compound under different circumstances. So it’s a constant work in progress.”

However, he stopped short of saying what may have gone wrong in this case, noting that a formal report would provide more clarity.

“I wouldn’t be able to speak to that . . . . When the report is submitted, then you will be able to review what happened, and then you’ll be able to understand what needs to be done,” Payne said.

“But what I can say to you is that as long as we follow the protocols that we have in place, that will minimise these incidents.”

Thomas is described as being approximately six feet tall, of dark complexion and medium build. At the time of his escape, he was wearing blue trousers and was bare-chested.

Police have reminded the public that it is a serious offence to harbour or assist a fugitive.

Anyone with information about Thomas’s whereabouts is urged to contact the Central Police Station at 430-7189 or 430-7190, call 211, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477, or report to the nearest police station.

shannamoore@barbadostoday.bb