Juveniles attack Policemen, 12 escape from Sophia Holding Centre

…5 recaptured

Twelve teenagers on Wednesday escaped from the Juvenile Holding Centre at Sophia, Greater Georgetown, after attacking the two Police guards who were on duty at the time.

It was reported that five of the 12 teens were recaptured.
Guyana Times understands that the escape occurred at approximately 23:30h on May 5.
Reports are the teens, who were housed in cell two and who have matters ranging from armed robbery to rape and murder, broke out of their cells and attacked the security personnel who were guarding the entrance of the building.
During the attack, the unarmed Police Officers were relieved of the keys to some of the other cells after which the juveniles sprinted from the facility.
An alarm was raised and a search was conducted in nearby communities where five of the teens were recaptured and taken back to the facility.
Meanwhile, security has been reinforced at the Holding Centre, and a full investigation has been launched.
In recent times, several teens escaped from the Sophia Holding Centre, but were recaptured.
Juveniles between the ages of 14 and 17 are held at the facility once they are charged with a criminal offence. After they have reached the age of 18, they are transferred to the formal prison system.