Juvenile sent to NOC for escaping from correctional institution

A 17-year-old boy was on Friday sent to the New Opportunity Corps (NOC) for one year after he was charged for escaping lawful custody while he was in detention at the Juvenile Holding Centre in Sophia, Greater Georgetown.
The decision was handed down by Magistrate Leron Daly on Friday when she informed the court that the juvenile will be sent to the correctional facility until he attains the age of 18.
The teen was placed in the juvenile holding facility in Sophia after he was charged for unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition without being licensed to carry same.
Based on reports, on August 9, 2018, the teen was in the process of being handed over to a social worker by the Police when he decided to make a run for it in a bid to escape.
The lad jumped over the western fence of the compound and made good his escape. However, he was subsequently recaptured after Close Circuit Television (CCTV) footage showed the direction in which he ran.
The teen will be heading to NOC where only on Friday last 13 juveniles escaped.
Reports coming out of the Social Protection Ministry stated that an investigation has been launched into the escape of 13 juveniles from the facility. According to the ministry it is also investigation whether the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) were followed, and whether the staff had colluded with the juveniles
The Police have since conducted several roadblocks along the main access road on the Essequibo Coast in an attempt to recapture the juveniles.
On Thursday last, the juveniles had completed some chores in the compound of the facility, after which they started to run towards the western side of the premises, which is not fenced. This area is lined with bushes which lead to the backlands.
The search is ongoing for a 15-year-old female of Vigilance, East Coast Demerara (ECD), who is serving 18 months for simple larceny; a 16-year-old girl of Bartica, Region Seven, who is serving two years for wandering; another 16-year-old girl of La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara, who is serving three years for wandering; a 15-year-old male, of the Essequibo Coast, who is serving one year for simple larceny; a 16-year-old female of Number 10 Village, West Coast Berbice, who is serving two years for wandering; a 16-year-old male of New Amsterdam, Berbice, who is serving 21 months for attempting to escape from lawful custody; a 16-year-old male of Buxton, ECD, who is serving a three-year sentence for possession of a firearm; a 16-year-old boy of Tucville, Georgetown, who is serving 22 months for wandering; a 17-year-old girl of Mahdia, Region Eight, who is serving two years for wandering; and a 17-year-old boy of Lethem, Region Nine, serving 15 months for burglary.
Meanwhile, on Friday last, at about 04:40h, three others also escaped from the correctional facility. They have been identified as a 15-year-old male of Lethem, Region Nine; a 17-year-old girl of Number 5 Village, West Coast Berbice; and a teenage boy of Berbice.